Coronavirus shutdown: Boon and bane for Halda river fish egg collectors

Fish egg collectors at Halda River are excited with hopes of a good yield due to a drop in pollution this year thanks to the ongoing countrywide shutdown to contain the spread of coronavirus. But at the same time, they worry that it will be difficult to sell their catch.

Mohammed Elias (55), an egg collector of RamdasMunsir Hat underHathazariupazila, told The Daily Star that they were praying for a late spawning season; May would be ideal.

"This time, as pollution and human activities have dropped significantly, we hope for a big haul," said Elias.

Halda is a unique, possibly lone natural breeding ground for carp fish in South Asia.

Elias urged the government to take steps so that buyers are able to buy their catch during the spawning period, and precious eggs do not get ruined.

Prompt vigilance by local administration, shutdown of two key sources of pollution last year and nationwide lockdown helped the river detoxify itself, said Professor DrManzoorulKibria, eminent Halda researcher and a professor of Zoology Department at Chittagong University.

He said all recent efforts, along with the coincidental lockdown, come as a boon for the river – raising hopes for thousands of egg collectors.

The first phase (locally known as "Joe"), which was supposed to be from April 7 to April 13, did not see any spawning, however.

Egg collectors are now waiting for the second phase, which is expected between April 18 and 24. If gusty winds, heavy downpours accompanied by thunderstorm occur during this timeframe, brood fish lay eggs, as it creates a congenial environment to spawn.

When the first phase does not see much spawning, the second phase comes with good yield, said the professor.

Kibria said due to the shutdown, there could be restrictions on the transport of the eggs; the government must come up with an alternative plan to resolve this.

Ruhul Amin, upazilanirbahi officer of Hathazari, told The Daily Star that they are planning to make a temporary egg market, maintaining social distancing, to solve the issue.