China Dowari: A fish trap raising alarm

Years of efforts by the government in protecting aquatic life through banning the use of 'current net' in waterbodies of the country will go in vain unless the use of 'China Dowari' fish trap -- growing increasingly popular in Rangpur region -- is barred as well.   

The new cheaper and stronger trap with finer net is more harmful than 'current net', according to officials at the Department of Fisheries.

Even the smallest of fish and other organisms are not spared when China Dowari is used in fishing, they also said.

Bigger catch, durability and affordability are among the reasons for growing popularity of this trap, which is not yet illegal in the country, said many fishers.

Rampant use of China Dowari in the Teesta river was witnessed by this correspondent during a visit to different areas in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur recently. 

Abdul Kuddus, from Alaler Char in the upazila, said after hearing about the "specially designed fishing trap", he recently bought 60 feet of it from Bogura. "It is comparatively better than 'current net'" as it catches fish of all sizes.

Another fisher, Ayub Ali, from the same area, said his catch has been better this season since he spent Tk 10,000 on buying a China Dowari trap. Besides, the trap is much easier to handle, he also said.

'Riverine People in Rangpur' founder Prof Tuhin Wadud, of Bangla Department at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, said the China Dowari traps fish of all sizes.

It is mainly being used in the Teesta river in Rangpur region where people, including officials of the administration as well as law enforcers, are still unaware of its harmful impact on fish population.

If such indiscriminate fishing with China Dowari trap continues in the peak fishing season, between the months of June and October, fish population in the Teesta will see a sharp decline, he warned.

Mosaddek Ali Azad, chairman of Morneya Union Parishad in Gangachara upazila, said he never heard about the China Dowari trap and he would take necessary steps to restrict the use of the harmful trap.      

Contacted, Deepa Rani Biswas, senior fisheries officer in the upazila, said she was also not aware of such a harmful fish trap.

The higher authorities would be informed of its negative impact and she would take necessary measures as per their directives, she added.