An awareness meeting was held against the illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities in the ocean at Mombipara near Kuakata under Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali on Thursday. Representative of different occupations including trawler owners, fishermen, sailors joined the meeting.
Nur Hossain Talukdar, President of Fish Conservation Team, presided over the meeting. Marine Fisheries Officer Ashikur Rahman attended the meeting as the chief guest.
Assistant Researcher of the World Fish Ecofish Bakhtiar Rahman spoke about the long term damage of illegal fishing in the meeting. Other speakers in the meeting said that the environment and the ocean safety are under threat because of the illegal fishing in the ocean.
Speakers during the meeting said every year, 11 to 26 million tons of fish worth of 10 to 23 billion dollar are caught illegally due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the ocean. An overall planning for catching saltwater fish and successfully preventing illegal and unplanned fishing can ensure highest role in developing the country’s economy. Moreover, millions of fishermen will able to become self-reliant.
