Members of Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) seized 16 million lobster fry from the Meghna River in the border area of Tamaraddi-Charking Union in Noakhali's island upazila, Hatia on early Friday.
Its market value of the seized fries is about Tk 3.2crore. An engine-driven boat was seized at the time too.
The fry were seized from the Ajmar canal and later, in the presence of the local fisheries officer, they were released in the Meghna River again.
It is learned that a vicious circle is constantly catching fry of different fish including lobster through net in different areas of Hatiya in Meghna River. Later, they separated the lobster fry from the inside of the fish fry and destroyed the rest of the fry.
As a result, shrimp as well as other fish are being destroyed day by day. The gang is smuggling lobster fry from Hatiya to different districts of the country including Khulna by sea. The
locals have demanded to bring this circle under the law to protect the breeding of fish in the Meghna River.
According to the Coast Guard sources, on the basis of secret information, the Lt ASM Lutfar Rahman, Commander of Coast Guard Station Hatiya, led the operation in the Ajmar canal area.
A total of 16 million lobster fry were recovered from 60 plastic containers in the engine-driven boat at the time. However, none could be apprehended as the smugglers on the boat fled after sensing the presence of the Coast Guard members.
Lt ASM Lutfar Rahman said the market value of the recovered lobster fries is around Tk 32 million. In the morning, in the presence of Upazila Fisheries Officer Anil Chandra Das, the fries were released into the Meghna River from Tajumoddi Coastguard Pantun.
BCG will continue this campaign to protect the fishery resources of the river in future as well, he added.
