As of midnight on September 1, fishermen will begin collecting fish, and by morning, the catch will be transported to major marketing centers in Rangamati, as well as sub-centers in Kaptai, Marishya, and Mahalchhari in Khagrachhari district. The fish will then be distributed to markets across Bangladesh, including the capital city.

According to the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC), 7,627 tons of fish were harvested from Kaptai Lake during the 2023-24 season, an increase from the previous seasons, which saw 6,794 tons in 2020-21, 6,523 tons in 2021-22, and 5,490 tons in 2022-23. Marketing officials are optimistic that this season will yield even higher numbers.

The extension of the fishing ban was necessary due to the insufficient water levels in the lake during the scheduled period. The four-month and 12-day suspension was lifted on September 1, allowing fishing to resume. This decision was made after careful consideration of the water levels, ensuring a sustainable and productive fishing season.

The fisheries departments of Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts have registered approximately 26,500 fishermen across eight upazilas, including Dighinala and Mahalchhari in Khagrachhari. However, concerns have been raised about the transparency of this registration process.

The resumption of fishing in Kaptai Lake marks a significant moment for the local fishing community, who have eagerly awaited the opportunity to return to their livelihoods. The increased yield in recent seasons suggests a positive outlook for the current fishing season, contributing to the economic stability of the region.

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During this period, all activities, including fishing, tourism, and the movement of vessels, are halted to create a safe breeding environment. The restriction helps maintain the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, ensuring that fish and wild animals can reproduce without disturbances. This effort is vital for preserving the forest’s rich wildlife, including the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger.

As the Sundarbans reopen date approaches, local communities, including fishers and tour operators, are preparing to resume their activities. Munshi Quamruzzaman, a fisherman from Paikgachha upazila, has readied his boat and nets for fishing, while Aziz Khalifa from Koyra upazila highlights the dependency of local livelihoods on the Sundarbans.

The annual closure is challenging for locals who rely on the forest for their livelihood. Despite this, the conservation efforts are essential for the long-term sustainability of the Sundarbans’ natural resources.

Tourism businesses are also preparing for the influx of visitors, with around 250,000 to 300,000 tourists expected to visit the Sundarbans each year. The reopening marks the beginning of the tourist season, bringing significant economic benefits to the region.

The Sundarbans is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including 114 Royal Bengal Tigers, 200,000 deer, 375 species of wildlife, 334 species of plants, and 300 species of birds. The Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP), implemented in 2019, recommended the closure of the Sundarbans’ rivers and canals during the breeding season to protect these species, a restriction that was extended to three months in 2021.

The reopening of the Sundarbans is a reminder of the delicate balance between conservation and livelihood, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in protecting one of the world’s most unique ecosystems.

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Occasionally, fishermen capture creatures that they are not permitted to retain, cannot sell, or do not want to abandon. “Bycatch” is the collective term for this. In addition to fish, bycatch can also refer to other creatures that get tangled or snagged in fishing gear, including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and seabirds. These inadvertently captured animals frequently get wounds or pass away. Small-scale subsistence fishing yields significantly less bycatch than industrial-scale fishing operations.

What is the cause of bycatch?

The main reason why bycatch happens in commercial fishing is that financial gain takes precedence above the welfare of animals or the health of the ecosystem. Due to the enormous demand from consumers for inexpensive seafood, commercial fisheries strive to provide the highest possible quantity of fish at the most competitive price.

Nowadays, a large portion of bycatch is caused by non-selective fishing gear. While highly effective in capturing target species, modern fishing gear also captures a large number of non-target creatures. “Incidental capture of turtles by longlines, trawls, and gillnets is the single greatest threat to the survival of most populations,” states the World Wildlife Fund.

The problem of bycatch:

Marine life is seriously harmed by bycatch, frequently to the point of death. The sudden change in water pressure that occurs when fishing gear propels fish and other aquatic animals to the surface can rupture their internal organs, which can be fatal. Other instances, nontarget species are thrown back into the water while they are already dead or dying on the decks of fishing boats.

Ecologically and financially, unwanted catch is a problem. Marine ecosystems are impacted by abandoned animals because they frequently die and are unable to reproduce. Bycatch can hinder population recovery and contribute to population reductions by slowing the restoration of overfished stocks and putting protected species like whales and sea turtles at increased risk. The elimination of their preferred prey and occasionally habitat destruction are two additional effects of fishing on marine mammals. Important fish habitat and protected corals may be harmed by bycatch of species like sponges and corals.

Fishermen suffer greatly from bycatch as well. It leads to gear damage, fewer catches, and fishing regulations that jeopardize their ability to make a living. Bycatch harms local and indigenous communities, who have coexisted with marine environments for thousands of years, in addition to harming ocean ecosystems. Many communities are losing access to traditional fishing grounds they have cared for for centuries as large commercial ships diminish the marine life in these regions.

How can unwanted catch be managed?

Bycatch-based fishing can be considered sustainable as long as the quantities of bycatch are properly controlled and the impacted fish populations continue to be robust. Fish that are legally caught as bycatch but are thrown out because their market value is too low. By figuring out how to employ this lawful catch, the fishing industry can benefit financially, and the amount of bycatch can be decreased.

Fishermen capture a diverse range of species and employ an extensive array of fishing equipment. To reduce bycatch, scientists, enthusiasts, GOs, NGOs, and INGOs should collaborate to develop, test, and adopt alternative fishing gear. They must to back the creation of technological advancements and modifications to fishing methods intended to reduce bycatch.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

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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

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What is the impact of IUU Fishing?

1.     Environmental Impact:

Globally, IUU fishing poses a threat to sustainable fisheries and ocean ecosystems. It endangers the natural resources essential to ensuring the world’s food security, and disadvantages law-abiding fishermen and seafood producers both here and abroad. Increased pressure on fish species that are endangered can also result from IUU fishing. By increasing the quantity of fish captured, IUU fishing has a direct impact on the population of fish species.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing depletes fish stock, destroyed management and conservation efforts. Achieving the objectives of long-term sustainability and responsibility is hampered by IUU fishing, which undercuts national and regional efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks.

2.     Economic Impact:

IUU fishing jeopardizes the economic stability. Additionally, the livelihoods of the most vulnerable populations around the world are also in danger. It severely hinders and discriminates against those fishermen who behave honorably, responsibly, and in accordance with the restrictions outlined in their fishing licenses.

The fish which are unauthorized and illegal, entry into the market may reduce the total quality and cost of the items on offer. That placing a financial strain on harvesters who abide by the laws and regulations.

What are the IUU fishing activities?

1.     Illegal fishing activities:

Whether national or foreign, the operations are carried out without authorization from the state in dispute or in violation of its laws and regulations in waters under its control.

• Transshipping illegally (for instance, by transferring fish to cargo ships).

2.     Unreported fishing activities:

Those fishing operations that violate national rules and regulations and that have not been reported to the appropriate national authority, or have been reported incorrectly.

• Fishing for specific species without a permit or quota.
• Omitting to disclose catches or reporting them incorrectly.
• Keeping fish that are too little or those are otherwise governed by laws.
• Fishing with forbidden equipment and in restricted locations or during restricted seasons.

3.     Unregulated fishing activities:

Fishing in regions or for fish stocks where there are no relevant conservation or management measures, and where such fishing activities are carried out in a way that conflicts with State obligations under international law for the conservation of live marine resources.

What are the approaches to combat IUU fishing?

A significant strategy for attaining sustainable management of the world’s fisheries is to combat IUU fishing. Tackling IUU fishing is currently a high priority for international ocean governance. This strategy is strengthened by a wide range of additional actions.

1.     Marine Stewardship Council:

An international non-profit organization called the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) manages a certification and ecolabelling (Blue MSC ecolabel) program for sustainable, traceable seafood.

A fishery must adhere to three principles in order to be certified as sustainable:

• Ensuring robust fisheries
• Least amount of damage to the marine ecosystem
• Effective management and obligation of local, state, and federal regulations

2.     Scheme for Responsible Fishing

The sole international standard that examines adherence to compliance aboard fishing vessels, including moral and welfare standards, is the Responsible Fishing Scheme. Originally introduced in 2006 by Seafish, a new program was later introduced in January 2016 in compliance with the standards of the widely accepted worldwide standard ISO17065. Its services are designed to help the industry’s environmental sustainability, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness while also promoting seafood that is responsibly obtained.

3.     Law Enforcement:

IUU fishing are fundamentally the result of inadequate national and international law enforcement. However, there are several causes for enforcement failure, chief among them being weak national government. A nation has complete control over its ports. In general, a nation should:

• Forbid foreign vessels from landing or transshipping fish in its ports
• Demand information on the identities of vessels
• Seek port access
• Examine vessels that are voluntarily in its ports.
• Ask for fair advance notice of their entry into port

4.     Responsibility of Flag State:

The ships (including fishing vessels) that carry a state’s flag are subject to that state’s legal obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The principal duty of flag countries is to regulate the fishing operations of their ships, including both fishing vessels and fishing support vessels (such as transport vessels that transport the catch of fishing vessels and supply vessels that deliver fuel and supplies to fishing vessels).

5.     Approaches of international Organizations:

The European Union created its own strategy to carry out the pledges made at the international level, and the European Commission’s action plan for combating IUU fishing was released in May 2002. It will be demanded that member state nationals operating under a flag of convenience shoulder more accountability. Additionally, market restrictions would be put in place for fisheries products that were caught in breach of international accords. To increase awareness, information campaigns aimed at the fishing industry, customers, and the general public will also be launched. Additionally, IUU vessels would be recognized, watched over, and their catches would be measured. The required tools would be supplied in collaboration with developing nations to enable them to properly regulate fishing activities carried out in their territorial waters.

Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) are associations of countries that concentrate on specific fish species (such as the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna) or have a broader mandate related to living marine resources generally within a region, such as the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).

IUU fishing threatens marine biodiversity, the food security of communities that depend on fisheries resources for protein, and the livelihoods of those working in the industry if vulnerable stocks that are subject to strict management controls or moratoria are targeted.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

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