Dhaka: The Coast Guard intercepted a significant haul of approximately 1.2 million Bagda shrimp fry as they were being transported from the Meghna River in Haimchar upazila to various destinations across the country. This operation marks a notable effort to curb the illegal trade of shrimp fry in the region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the estimated value of the seized shrimp fry is around Tk 45 lakh. In a move to preserve local aquatic life, the authorities subsequently released the fry into the Dakatia River. This action underscores the ongoing commitment of local enforcement to protect the biodiversity of the region’s waterways.
Assistant Fisheries Officer of Sadar upazila, Md. Mizanur Rahman, stated, “Acting on a tip-off, the Coast Guard and the Department of Fisheries conducted a joint operation and seized the shrimp fry.” He further highlighted the issue of dishonest fishermen utilizing illegal fine-mesh nets to capture fry from the Meghna River, posing a threat to the ecological balance and sustainability of shrimp populations in the area.