Fishermen demand more steps to check piracy
Fishermen in Kuakata have demanded that the government arrange adequate security measures for fishermen who live by catching fish in the coastal areas and deep sea.
They raised the matter to Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas who attended as chief guest at a meeting on the premises of Mohipur Samabay High School in Kalapara upazila on Tuesday.
The Fisheries Department organised the programme marking the National Jatka Protection Week.
Addressing the meeting on behalf of the local fishermen, Nimai Chandra, former secretary for Mohipur Fishing Trawler Owners Association, said the number of Navy men and coastguard should be increased especially in the fishing season from May to November to check pirates' activities in the deep sea.
He also demanded turning Mohipur into a full-fledged 'fishery processing centre' as thousands of fishermen are involved in fishing in the area.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdul Latif Biswas said, "We will meet all logical demands of local fishermen by taking necessary measures to protect our fishery sector that is contributing to our national economy. We are already getting the results of government measures to protect jatka [hilsa fry] as we are getting big sized hilsa in the local markets."
State Minister for Water Resources Mahbubur Rahman addressed as special guest at the function presided over by Uzzal Bikash Datta, secretary of Fisheries and Livestock Ministry.
Later the minister led a boat procession on the Shibbaria River near Kuakata.
Comments