The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

A five years plan on Hilsha research project at the cost of 16 crore taka has been prepared by Fish Research Institute and submitted for approval and implementation at concerned ministry. On other hand an 11 member team on Hiisha research led by Dr. Khan Kamaluddin Ahmed, Hilsha Research Scholar of Chandpur river center of the institute, engaged, in filed level data collection and research since October 25, 2007.

Fish research institute and its Chandpur River Center sources said a five years plan at the cost of 50 crore taka including a research vessel of Tk.30 crore was sent to the ministry in 2004.

In review meeting of the ministry costing of Research Project decreased to Tk.15 crore including costing of vessel Tk.5 crore and sent back the proposal to the research center via institute.

Then the project proposal was finally revised to Tk.16 crore and resend to the ministry at the end of 2006 for approval which yet not passed.

This Research Project proposal included monitoring migration and movement of Hilsha fish, collection of data on Hilsha catching, water and weather examination, observation of environment and water pollution, speed and other conditions of the water current in Hilsha related areas, grounds of breeding, nursing, egg laying and developing Hilsha fry and matured Hilsha and other subjects.

Fish research institute sources said Hilsha wealth has been increased two times in last 14 years as catching of Hilsha was 1.47 lakhs metric in 1983; 2.20 lakhs metric tons in 2002 and will exceed 3 lakhs metric tons in 2007.

Through this fishing sector will earn more 2500 crore taka extra income from Hilsha.

Step has taken the government for imposing and monitoring year wise ban on using thinly knitted current nets, seven (November-May) ban on Jatka or Hilsha fry catching, two months (March-April) ban of Hilsha fishing in four sanctuaries of this fish and ten days long (October 15-24) on total Hilsha fishing, now giving positive results in increasing Hilsha fish wealth of the country, the sources added.