Boosting Halda’s broodfish stock

With an aim to boost broodfish stock in Halda, the Hathazari upazila administration has taken up a project to release one lakh fry in the river.

To this end, the upazila administration collected one kilogramme of eggs during spawning period when the mother fish laid eggs in May. Now they are transforming those into fry in a pond, and will release those in the river in the beginning of next month.

Halda river is the lone source of natural carp breeding in South Asia.

Ruhul Amin, upazila nirbahi officer of Hathazari, told The Daily Star yesterday that they initiated the project as there is a decline in the number of mother fish over the years, due to various manmade hazards.

The administration bought the spawn on May 30 for Tk 65,000, he added.

“We are trying to rid the river of pollution, grabbing, sand lifting and netting of broodfish. We are being vigilant in this regard and observing the situation round the clock,” he added.

The UNO said this year ahead of spawning, at least 35 mother fish were netted to death, decreasing the number of broodfish.

 “Considering all aspects, we decided to boost the fish stock. We hope to get one lakh fry from the spawn we collected. They have already turned five-inch long in the last two and a half months,” he added.

According to zoologists, the fry will be preyed upon if its length is less than six inches.

Prof Manzoorul Kibria, an eminent Halda researcher, praised the initiative taken by the administration. “It will help the river and increase the broodfish stock, which will eventually result in good spawning,” he added.

“Broodfish is a key part of Halda. If we can increase its stock, it will also add value to our national economy,” Prof Kibria said.