CHATTOGRAM, Apr 22: The government will impose a three-month ban from May 1 on fishing in Kaptai Lake, the biggest man-made lake in Bangladesh and largest breeding place of carp fish in Chattogram division.
The ban will stay in force till July 31, 2022, officials said.
The decision has been taken to protect mother fishes and ensure safe breeding and growing up of carp and other species of fishes in the lake.
During the 90-day ban, all kind of fishing, including catching, carrying, transporting, selling, buying, marketing of fishes and carrying of fishing nets will be strictly prohibited, they said.
Created in 1962, Kaptai Lake produces more than 7,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fishes annually.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rangamati district Md Mijanur Rahman held a meeting with all stakeholders at his office on Thursday in connection with implementation of the ban.
After the meeting the Rangamati DC said a task force has already been formed to implement the decision.
He said the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) will head the task force.
The task force will resist all attempt to violate the fishing ban in Kaptai Lake effective till July 31, he mentioned.
"None will be allowed to catch or carry fishes, sell or market the same and use current net or any other net for fishing during the period. No transport can carry fishes from Rangamati and Kaptai area to any other place of the country during the ban," he stated.
The decision has been taken to harvest fish and increase reserves of fish in the lake, he said adding "We want to ensure that fishes, aquatic animals and other water-borne lives live and breed in a safe and friendly environment in Kaptai Lake. I hope that fishes will be grown up smoothly and naturally in Kaptai Lake."
He said the ban also aims at protecting juvenile fishes.
Fish reserves will substantially increase in the lake and more fishes could be collected from the lake after withdrawal of the ban, he also said.
A mobile court will be deployed and law enforcers will be patrolling the area under the jurisdiction of the restriction, he further said adding "Anyone defying the ban will face legal action."
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