This dangerous method of fishing, where toxic chemicals are deliberately dumped into rivers and canals to kill fish en masse, is wreaking havoc on aquatic biodiversity, endangering wildlife, and posing serious risks to human health. The alarming rise of this practice has been attributed to a powerful syndicate of corrupt traders, dishonest forest officials, and criminal networks that profit at the expense of one of Bangladesh’s most valuable ecological treasures.

The rise of poison fishing in Sundarbans: A Well-Orchestrated Operation

Investigations reveal that at least three major groups are responsible for fueling the illegal practice of poison fishing in the Sundarbans:

1. Fish Traders and “Company Mahajans” – These influential traders finance local fishermen and pressure them to use poison to ensure a higher catch within a short time. By controlling the fish supply, they reap massive profits.
2. Corrupt Forest Officials – Dishonest officers, tasked with protecting the Sundarbans, accept bribes in exchange for turning a blind eye to the poison fishing. Some even actively assist in the transport and sale of poisoned fish.
3. Forest Pirates and Middlemen – Once inactive, many former forest pirates have returned, this time working as enforcers for the traders. They offer protection to those engaged in illegal fishing while threatening or looting others who refuse to comply.

How the poison fishing Work in Sundarbans

Fishermen use two types of toxic chemicals, depending on their target catch:

• Chlorpyrifos and Cypermethrin – These chemicals are commonly used in agriculture but have been repurposed to kill both white fish and shrimp when mixed into the water.
• Cypermethrin Alone – This is used exclusively to kill shrimp.

Once the chemicals are released into the water, they deplete oxygen levels, causing fish to become weak and float to the surface, making them easy to collect. This method is quick, cost-effective, and highly destructive—not just for fish, but for the entire aquatic ecosystem.

Severe Impact on the Sundarbans Ecosystem

The consequences of poison fishing extend far beyond fish populations. Experts warn that these chemicals are absorbed into the mangrove roots, affecting the entire food chain.

• Declining Fish Stocks – Traditional fishermen report a steep decline in fish populations over the past five years, forcing many to abandon their livelihood.
• Loss of Aquatic Biodiversity – Poisoned rivers have led to the disappearance of snakes, frogs, leeches, and crabs, all crucial components of the Sundarbans’ ecosystem.
• Impact on Wildlife – Birds feeding on poisoned fish suffer slow and painful deaths, contributing to declining populations of species already threatened by habitat destruction.

According to Govinda Mandal, a fisherman from Koyra’s Bedkashi area, poison fishing was non-existent just a decade ago. “There were plenty of fish back then. But over the last five to six years, poisons have flooded the forest waters, and now even the birds are disappearing,” he laments.

A Threat to Human Health

Even though locals avoid eating fish from the Sundarbans, these poisoned fish end up in markets across the country, transported by trucks to Dhaka and other major cities. Consumers are unknowingly exposed to dangerous toxins linked to cancer, liver disease, and neurological disorders.

A researcher, Md Shah Paran, working on a project assessing the aquatic resources of the Sundarbans, confirmed that most fish in local markets smell of poison, particularly shrimp. Despite this, traders continue selling them, prioritizing profits over public safety.

The Role of Corrupt Authorities

Local pesticide shops near the Sundarbans, particularly in Koyra, openly sell chemicals like Diamgro, Fighter, Ripcord, and Pesicol. Strangely, many of their buyers don’t even own farmland—they are fishermen purchasing poison under the guise of agriculture.

Authorities have long been aware of these illegal activities but have done little to stop them. Mihir Kumar Doe, Forest Conservator of the Khulna region, confirmed that bottles of poison have been confiscated multiple times, yet the problem persists.

Fishermen who refuse to participate in the poison trade report being threatened by both criminal groups and corrupt officials.

A former fisherman, who served jail time for poison fishing, revealed their method:

1. Fishermen set small nets across canal openings during high tide.
2. When the tide recedes, they pour pesticides into the water.
3. Fish float to the surface within minutes.
4. The poisoned fish are collected and transported to buyers.

Since freshly poisoned shrimp cannot be immediately sold, traders have devised another method: drying them inside the Sundarbans itself.

• They cut down trees deep in the forest to construct makeshift drying platforms.
• Shrimp are dried using wood-fueled fires before being smuggled to Mongla for distribution.

The Political and Social Consequences

The rampant corruption and illegal exploitation of the Sundarbans have also given rise to a power struggle among criminal groups. Reports indicate that powerful middlemen, including Zahir Member, Rezaul Karim, and Lutfor Rahman, control more than 200 boats, operating under the protection of corrupt forest officials.

Forest guards allegedly demand bribes ranging from Tk 1,000 ($10) per week to Tk 5,000 ($50) per boat, allowing illegal fishing to continue unchecked.

One such trader, Abu Musa, openly admitted his involvement in illegal fishing but suggested “dividing the sanctuary among traders” to reduce competition.

Can the Sundarbans Be Saved?

Despite these overwhelming challenges, conservationists believe that decisive action can still reverse the damage. Gaurang Nandi, Chairman of the Center for Environment and Participatory Research (CEPR), emphasized the urgent need for:

1. Stronger Law Enforcement – Crackdowns on corrupt officials and poison traders.
2. Sustainable Fishing Alternatives – Promoting eco-friendly aquaculture methods.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns – Educating consumers about the dangers of poisoned fish.
4. Stricter Regulations – Enforcing harsher penalties for offenders.
   

Final Thoughts: A Ticking Time Bomb

Conservationists stress the need for immediate intervention to halt poison fishing. They advocate for stricter enforcement, improved monitoring, and sustainable fishing alternatives.

The Sundarbans serves as Bangladesh’s shield against natural disasters and is a crucial carbon sink. If its waters continue to be poisoned, the consequences will be catastrophic—not just for the environment but also for the millions who depend on it for their livelihoods. Urgent action is required to protect the future of this invaluable mangrove forest.

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A world-renowned ecosystem, the Sundarbans are considered to be one of the most complex and delicate on the planet. In total, it covers 44% of Bangladesh’s forest land and 4.2% of its total land area. The mangroves provide habitat for 210 fish species, 24 shrimp species, 14 crab species, 43 mollusk species, and more than 260 bird species. 

Besides performing ecological functions, the Sundarbans provide support for livelihoods as well. Approximately 3.5 million people live in the vicinity of the Sundarbans, and they are directly or indirectly dependent upon this forest. The mangrove forest provides the bulk of the livelihoods and subsistence for the rural residents who live within 20 km of the forest boundary, also known as the influence zone. The majority of the dependent population is illiterate and poor.

Furthermore, the production of domestic fisheries in Bangladesh is 1.7% derived from this mangrove forests. Fish products from this mangrove forest brought in US$ 158,368 in 2014–2015, with an estimated 10.37 metric tons (MT) of fish collected daily from the Sundarbans.

This incredible ecosystem, however, is under threat due to several factors, including Poison fishing.

The poison used in the Sundarbans may persist for months or even years, reducing aquatic species’ reproduction capacities, affecting their health, and reducing their numbers. Pesticide-laden water can affect fish in the deep sea when it flows into the sea.

An further repercussion of illicit fishing operations is the disturbance of the food chain in the impacted regions, which poses a risk to the forest’s aquatic biodiversity. It is not just fish that are being killed by such illegal activities, but all kinds of marine life are also being negatively affected. In this way, fish worth crores were poisoned each year, and breeding was severely hindered. Having consumed poison, these fish are also being sold in the markets, posing serious health concerns for the general public.

Experts claim that several causes are responsible for these wrecking actions.

Residents of the Sundarbans were limited in their income sources because of periodic fishing bans imposed by the government. They use poison fishing systems and illegal fishing nets when they are allowed to enter the forest for a brief time.

Abdul Alim, a Khulna district resident who lives on the Sundarban’s southern periphery, explains the poison fishing process. 

“It’s a syrup that they use as a poison. Within minutes of spilling some water in the water body, fishes, crabs, and other aquatic species will crawl to the shore in order to save their lives,” he said.

“In this way, fishermen are able to catch a good amount of fish in the shortest amount of time, he explained.

“Those who use poison for fishing usually use engine-driven boats so they can escape without being caught,” he added.

Generally, poisoned fish are dried in remote areas inside the forest before being sold as dried fish on the local market because local people will not buy them.

Fishermen and merchants’ greed is another reason for poison fishing. Fishermen are triggered by the idea of “catching more fish in less time.”

In fact, poisoned fishing yields a quick harvest with a lot less labor involved. As a result, fishermen are immediately attracted to such activities.

Another reason is the lack of monitoring and law enforcement. In addition, some have pointed to unscrupulous forest department officials accepting bribes from fishermen in forest sanctuaries. Therefore, they allow fishermen to do whatever they want.

“An influential syndicate has influenced a group of fishermen in the Sundarbans to poison fish. In addition to affecting fish, this practice also harms aquatic animals as a result of water pollution,” said Prof Anwarul Qadir, Sundarbans Academy executive director.

And finally, the lack of knowledge also contributes to this situation. The majority of fishermen don’t realize the long-term effects of this type of fishing. Their happiness is based on getting adequate yields.

However, poison fishing has already started having an impact on Sundarbans areas. According to Golam Rasul Howladar, a fisherman from Sundarbans, this situation is dire.

The increase in poison use by fishermen has caused fish populations to decline and has even affected bird populations since birds feed on the surviving fish.

“Previously, fishing in the Sundarbans provided a significant livelihood for the families, but fishing opportunities are limited today. The family can no longer survive solely by fishing in the forest. It is hard for us to make ends meet now,” he added.

It is imperative that the Government takes action to address the dire situation. According to experts, scientific methods should be used to decide whether to limit access to the forest. Families of fishermen should get social security during the fishing prohibition to help with their financial difficulties. Experts also recommend providing alternative livelihood options to forest-dependent communities.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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Picture this: Ilius, a small-scale fisherman, struggling to make ends meet because of a sinister practice that has become all too common in his area. Poison fishing. It’s a method that involves the release of toxic substances into the river to catch fish, and it’s wreaking havoc.

This illegal practice isn’t new. Poison fishing has been a concern in the Sundarbans and local ponds, but recently, it’s been making its way to the vast banks of Padma River, sending shockwaves through the community.

The real challenge is identifying the culprits. Poison fishing happens at night, executed swiftly, and the perpetrators vanish from the scene. It’s a world of secrecy, and only a few brave individuals are willing to talk about it, their identities concealed for their own protection.

So, what poisons are they using? Alamgir, one of the poison fishermen, revealed the names: “Major” and “Jagoran,” alongside other harmful substances like Karate and Shobicron, originally meant for agricultural use but now endangering the river’s delicate balance.

The environmental consequences are dire. According to Beyond Pesticides, an organization committed to safeguarding public health and the environment from toxic pesticides, fish are bearing the brunt. Long-term exposure can lead to abnormalities and mutations in fish larvae, while acute exposure can result in mass fish die-offs. The liver, kidney, brain, and gills of exposed fish are particularly vulnerable.

The poison fishermen operate discreetly on nights with fewer competitors. They apply the poison at river bends or turning points, confining its effects to a small area, where smaller fish like shrimp, crab, and spiny eels wash ashore. They can harvest between 5kg to over 30kg of fish in an hour, in stark contrast to regular fishermen who invest in boats, nets, and other equipment.

Authorities are aware of the problem, but arrests related to poison fishing in Rajbari remain scarce. Mofizur Rahman Chowdhury, an ichthyologist at the forest department, expressed concern about the practice’s spread to the Padma River, emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect the environment, fish populations, and the health of local residents.

The ominous presence of poison fishing in Padma River poses a grave threat to the ecosystem and the livelihoods of local fishermen. Urgent action is required to curtail this destructive practice and safeguard the health of the river and its surrounding communities. As awareness grows and authorities step in, the hope is that Padma River can once again thrive as a source of sustenance and ecological balance for the region.

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