Fishing in Kaptai Lake, one of Bangladesh's major inland fisheries, will resume from midnight of August 10, following the end of a three-and-a-half-month fishing ban. Rangamati Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Secretary of the Kaptai Lake Management Committee Najma Ashrafi announced the lifting of the ban. The decision was taken unanimously at a meeting of the lake management committee held at the DC office. The ban, imposed from April 25, was intended to facilitate fish breeding. With the breeding season successfully completed, the committee decided to withdraw the restriction from midnight of August 10. Fish harvesting, transportation, and marketing from the lake will officially begin at 6 am on August 11.
The seasonal ban was introduced to ensure the natural breeding, reproduction, and increased production of carp species in the lake. Najma Ashrafi stated that the decision to lift the ban was made based on the opinions of officials from the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC), representatives of fish traders' associations, fishermen, and other stakeholders.
Kaptai Lake, located in Rangamati, is a significant source of fish for the region. The lifting of the ban is expected to bring relief to fishermen who have been unable to fish during the restricted period. The resumption of fishing activities will also impact local fish markets and traders who rely on the lake's resources.
The meeting to decide on the ban's withdrawal was attended by several key officials, including Additional District Magistrate Nishat Sharmin, Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Iqbal Hossain, BFDC Rangamati Manager Commander Fayez Al Karim, District Fisheries Officer Md. Mizanur Rahman, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) Chief Scientific Officer Haidar Hossain, and representatives from fish traders' associations such as Udayan Barua, Md. Mahfuz, and Md. Abdul Shukkur.
The resumption of fishing is a crucial event for the local economy, as Kaptai Lake contributes significantly to the livelihoods of many fishermen and their families. The lake's fish are not only a vital food source but also an important commodity for local and regional markets.
