The Government has taken the initiative to introduce a ‘Hilsa Bank’ for fishermen who are dependent on the Hilsa fish to reduce exposure of lenders and middlemen, reports Somoy TV. The proposed ‘Hilsa Bank’ will make it easy for fishermen to take loans for buying net-boats and running their families all year around. Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock informed that the bank will begin its operations before the beginning of the Hilsa catching season.
Hilsa spawn can be found in the rivers during March-April. To increase production and conserve the juveniles, 5 fishing sanctuaries were closed down at Padma-Meghna for two months. However, in defiance of government’s ban, many fishermen have continued to catch Hilsa fishes claiming that they not only have to earn for a living but also repay back the interests taken from lenders.
According to Somoy TV’s report, the silver Hilsa was on the verge of being wiped out from the Bengali tradition but with the help of Government measures and awareness of fishermen, Hilsa production increased by 1 lakh 70 thousand tons. Researchers say that the Bank will help to sustain the growth of Hilsas.
A report by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock observed that currently, 20-25 lakh people are directly and indirectly depended on Hilsa. Hilsa contributes to 11% to the country’s fishery sector.
Sabah Mannan