Akib’s fishing baits being exported to Asia and Europe

H Ataur Rahman Akib started fishing when he was four and he was largely focused on his hobby and making baits until 2018.

His passion took a new turn in the year when an amateur angler sent Akib Tk 2,000 and asked him to make baits for him. This was the beginning.

When demands for his baits rose, he turned his hobby into a full-time commercial business. He did not have to look back since then.

Today, Akib, who hails from Rajshahi, has a factory on the premises of his residence in the Thakurmara area in the northern city that manufactures eco-friendly baits for game fishing.

In the last four years, baits made by Akib's company, Primitive Fishing by Akib, have gained immense popularity across the country and also beyond borders.

The factory produces at least 14 types of baits.

All products are sold in various districts in Bangladesh and are exported to India, Pakistan, Nepal, Malaysia, and Europe, especially in the UK.

In 2019, he began by exporting 100 kilogrammes of baits, and this year the shipment is likely to go up to several tonnes.

Among the baits, 'Current Char,' 'Ready Tope,' and 'Jafrani Chhatu' are the most popular.

A pheromone spray called 'Agunjol' is manufactured in the factory, the only such factory in South Asia.

"We have now taken steps to open our own outlets in India and New Zealand," said Akib in an interview with The Daily Star recently.

The entrepreneur says he has been fishing since he was four.

He studied at the Rajuk Uttara Model School and College in Dhaka and moved to New Zealand.

He obtained his master's degree in information technology from the University of Auckland. He also received a diploma degree in the environment.

Akib began his career journey in New Zealand, but he had to return home in 2017 to take care of his elderly parents.

This was the time when he noticed that various types of native fish are getting lost due to unplanned fishing and ants are on verge of extinction due to the rampant use of their eggs in fishing.

The use of harmful chemicals in catching fish also did not go unnoticed.

Akib's experience in fishing abroad and knowledge about the environment helped him think differently.

"I started looking for alternatives," he said.

He learnt that ethical fishing practices are taking place in various parts of the world and found out that the elements in ant eggs that attract fish are also available in other natural objects. This led him to start making eco-friendly baits.

He opened a YouTube channel named -- Primitive Fishing By Akib -- and continued promoting his methods of fishing and preparing baits.

He received immense support from anglers, first from those living in Bangladesh and then from various states of India. Amateur anglers from other countries also started communicating with Akib.

He witnessed a large market for fishing baits waiting for him in the country and across the globe.

The year 2019 was a watershed in his life. He formed a game fishing club and joined the International Game Fish Association.

In the same year, he received official approval from the government as the country's first fishing baits manufacturer. He started exporting products as well.

Akib launched a fishing game called 'One taka ticket' to promote ethical fishing. During the game, anglers will buy tickets at Tk 1, but they can't take away more fish than they will consume. Rather, they would release all the fish.

His business of selling baits grew in the next two years and he transformed his factory from a small shack into a modern unit.

In February this year, the 38-year-old authored a book 'Chhip Borshi' and received the Indo-Bangla Friendship Award for his role in promoting ethical fishing in the Indian subcontinent last month.

Akib says he has never thought that his business would come this far.

"My business is growing every day. It can grow further since the market at home and abroad is huge."

One day, Akib caught a big Katal fish from a waterbody, handed it over to this correspondent and wanted to know what his feelings are.

The fish used its full force to get released. The entrepreneur released the fish into the waterbody.

He said, "I never forget to show respect to this vitality of fish. I have to take care of fish species and the nature around us."