Chattogram: Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) has seized an illegal artisanal trawling boat along with trawl nets and marine fish in the Banshkhali area of Chattogram. BCG Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq confirmed the matter this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the operation was conducted based on secret information on Monday midnight in the estuary adjoining area of the Khathkhali River under Banshkhali Thana by the Banshkhali Coast Guard contingent. During the operation, an illegal artisanal trawling boat was signaled to stop, but it ignored the signal and fled at high speed towards the adjacent river bank. Those on board managed to flee the scene sensing the presence of law enforcers.
Later, the Coast Guard seized four drag nets worth about Tk 22 lakh and 2,800 kilograms of marine fish along with the boat. Subsequently, in the presence of the Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Banshkhali, dragging equipment was removed from the seized boat and the illegal drag nets were destroyed. The seized marine fish were sold through auction, and the money obtained was deposited into the government treasury as a fine.