A recent television news piece drew attention to the plight of a fisherman’s family facing adversity even during the celebration of Eid-ul-Azha. Among the key causes outlined in the segment, the state’s fishing prohibition and the absence of aid during this restriction period seemed to stand out. The story highlighted that Dashmina upazila in Patuakhali is home to approximately 150,000 residents, a large proportion of whom are dependent entirely on fishing as their source of income.
Nevertheless, due to an ongoing ban on maritime fishing, these families of fishermen have been subjected to considerable hardship. The recent 58-day halt on marine fishing imposed in Bangladesh from mid-April to early June of this year had the purpose of promoting the sustainable management of fish populations and the preservation of marine biodiversity. Uniquely, this year, the prohibition was shorter than typical periods and was coordinated to coincide with the suspension period in India.
By altering the fishing suspension to match that of India, Bangladesh has made progress towards conserving its marine resources from potential international intrusion and over-exploitation. The fishing industry holds a critical role in the Bangladesh economy, with the country being recognised as the third leading nation in the world for inland fish production. Remarkably, it’s responsible for a significant 86 percent of all global captures of the hilsa fish.
In fact, the fishing industry gives means of subsistence to an estimated 18 million people in the nation. The export of fish and associated products also garners substantial revenue for the country. From an environmental perspective, the urgency to maintain fishing restrictions is undeniable and crucial for the ecosystem.
Research investigating the effects of these restrictions has found a positive correlation between the ban and increased hilsa production post-restriction period. The prohibition on fishing has shown benefits not only in terms of improved fish stocks but also in the growth and size of the hilsa species itself. In the long-term, the ban has appeared to result in a noteworthy increase in marine fishery resources.
Unfortunately, these advantages do not come without their share of challenges, particularly for those whose livelihoods rely upon fishing. These adverse consequences can be particularly felt by coastal communities, where many fishermen live. The district of Bhola alone houses over 65,000 officially recorded sea-skilled fishers who are faced with complete joblessness and no alternative sources of income during the embargo.
The sad reality is that there are many qualified fishers who still remain unregistered and without aid. The principles that guide the prohibition on fishing are, at their core, aimed at conserving marine fishery resources and managing sustainable harvesting practices. Thus, the imperative of providing financial and technical support to fishing families, enabling them to establish at least one additional source of income, is keenly felt.
Cash assistance would arguably be more beneficial than basic food aid, considering the situational context. Ensuring that aid from government bodies is distributed evenly and consistently among all fishing families is fundamental. Creating accessibility to institutional lending with reasonable terms during the ban period will also be an important part of the solution.
Fishermen and their families, who daily risk their lives in the turbulent seas and significantly contribute to the nation’s economy and food supply, undoubtedly deserve better, fairer conditions and opportunities. The mitigation of the humanitarian implications inherent in the fishing ban is a pressing issue and warrants the immediate attention and action from policy decision-makers.
The post Growing Hardships for Fishing Families Amid Bangladesh’s Conservation Efforts appeared first on Real News Now.
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