Due to a shortage of water in the lake, the fishing ban in Kaptai Lake has been extended from 18 July to 19 August. In July 16, a meeting was held in the conference room of the Rangamati district administration office where the decision was made.
Earlier, the local administration bans netting, marketing, and transportation of fish in Kaptai Lake for 3 months. In order to ensure the natural breeding of carp fish, the ban was imposed from April 20 to July 19
With an area of 68,800 ha, Kaptai Lake is one of the most important water bodies for fish production. The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) reports that the Lake’s total annual fish production increased from 4,556 tons (MT) in 2002-03 to 9,364 tons (MT) in 2015-16. A steady increase in fish catch has been observed in this lake in the last 15 years.
In 1983-84, the BFRI reported the natural breeding of major carp in Kaptai Lake for the first time, and it was confirmed again in 2015-16.
However, there are problems associated with the reproduction of the major carp in Kaptai Lake. The sedimentation and fluctuation of water levels have destroyed portions of initially favorable spawning areas.
It is reported that Kaptai Lake’s fish production has declined due to a lack of optimum water flow and siltation, which cause habitat degradation, loss of spawning grounds, and decline in natural seed production for major carp. Broodstock destruction is considered to be the primary cause of the depletion of mother fish stock because of late closure and early start of fishing without following appropriate bans for years. Measures for protection and control of these are still inadequate and risky.
Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU
