FULBARI, KURIGRAM, July 11: Unscrupulous fishermen and locals are killing fry and mother fishes by China Ring Magic Net in Fulbari Upazila of the district.
They are carrying out destructive activities in different beels and rivers including Dharla-Naromasi in the upazila.
This net is 50-80 feet long having small meshes.
Per piece net is selling at Tk 3,000 to 10,000 at different haats and bazaars in the upazila.
Koi (climbing Fish), Taaki (spotted snakehead), Tengra (small catfish), Punti (pool barb), Baim (eel fish), Kuche (Mud eel), Shing (stinging cat fish), Magur (cat fish), Pabda (butter fish), Khoilsha (striped gourami), Gulsha (Bleekers Mystus), Shol (striped snakehead), and Baila fish are being killed.
Even frog, snake, tortoise, snail, and crab are destroyed; biodiversity is damaged.
A visit to Dharla, Baromasia and Nilkamal found 5-10 fishers carrying out fishing activities with small boats.
Locals Abdul Hanif Sarkar and Shoilal Chandra Ray of Balarhat area said, if the deadly net is not stopped, all local fishes will disappear.
Fisher Ananda Chandra Biswas of Purbafulmati area at Nawdanga Union in the upazila said, all types of fishes including fry and small ones are caught by China Net.
He drew the attention of the administration for stopping the local fish killing by China Net.
Upazila Fisheries Officer Hafizur Rahman said, catching fishes by China Net has been restricted; the DoF is conducting awareness in different areas asking not to catch fishes by China Net.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rehenuma Tarannum said, "I have asked fisheries officer for taking quick step to stop killing of local fishes by illegal China Net; if not stopped, mobile court will be conducted."
