Chattogram: Bangladesh Navy, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, has launched an operation ‘in aid to civil power’ to protect fisheries in coastlines and inland waters, an ISPR statement said here today. It mentioned that the Navy began the ‘combing operation’ in four phases as directed by the government, engaging 11 naval ships and a large number of boats since January 12, with the third phase commencing on February 9.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the special operation is being conducted in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali, Luxmipur, Chandpur, Khulna, Mongla, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Shariatpur, Barisal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, and Bhola coastlines and adjacent inland waters. The campaign focuses on removing fishing nets that destroy fisheries in shallow waters with depths of less than 10 meters.
The statement noted that naval troops have seized and destroyed a considerable amount of illegal fishing nets, gillnets, current nets, mosquito nets, and tong nets. Additionally, the navy is leading a public awareness campaign to halt the use of all illegal nets.
The third phase of the special combing operation, which started on February 9, involved Navy ships and boats in the outer anchorage and adjacent areas of Chattogram. A special team comprising members of the Bangladesh Navy, representatives from district administration and the department of fisheries is participating in the operation.
During the operation at Tajumuddin Upazila of Bhola district, over 30 lakh meters of illegal gillnets, 6.11 lakh meters of current nets, 3,400 meters of behundi nets, and 21.60 lakh meters of pail nets were seized from six shops, with an estimated market value of Tk. 2.9 lakh. Furthermore, 7,78,650 meters of nets and illegally captured fish were recovered in different areas.
The statement reported that in the third phase, illegal nets and fish worth about Tk. 21,62,670 were seized until yesterday, and items worth Taka 76,32,5,100 have been confiscated since the operation began. Necessary legal actions are being taken against those involved in illegal activities.