16 fishers held for catching fish fry in Sundarbans

The Forest Department has detained 16 fishermen from the Sundarbans for catching Parshe (mullet) fry, during its breeding period from November-January, from the river and canals defying ban.

A team of the Forest Department (West) led by Zahirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Nilkomol Patrol Outpost, detained the fishers around 4:30am on Thursday during a drive at the Bangabandhur Char area, said Divisional Forest Officer Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain. The officials also seized two fishing boats.

"A case has been filed under the Forest Act; the fishermen have been sent to Koyra Upazila Senior Judicial Magistrate Court."

Fishermen of Shyamnagar, Koyra, Paikgacha, and Dakop areas surrounding the Sundarbans are also using illegal nets to catch fish fry.