Despite various challenges, the haor region in Kishoreganj has seen a record fishery yield in the fiscal year 2022-2023, producing 28,020.52 tonnes of fish with an estimated market value of Tk 1,260.92 crore.
Fish production in the haor region has faced several obstacles, including environmental pollution, untimely rains, and the use of very small-looped nets. Nevertheless, this financial year has witnessed the highest fish production ever recorded in the haors of Kishoreganj.
According to sources, Kishoreganj is home to 122 small and large haors, covering an area of 64,306 hectares. These haors produce thousands of tonnes of various fish species annually, along with snails and oysters.
In the fiscal year 2022-2023, fish production in Kishoreganj district totaled 94,887.19 tonnes. Of this, 42,741.34 tonnes were produced through extraction, accounting for 44.42% of the total production, and 52,741.34 tonnes were produced through farming, accounting for 55.58% of the total production. The haors contributed 28,020.52 tonnes, making up 29.53% of the total production, with an estimated market value of Tk 1,260.92 crore.
The District Fisheries Office reports that 80 to 120 species of native fish are found in the haors of Kishoreganj. To boost fish production, nurseries have been established where fish fry, aged one to one and a half months, are reared and released into the haors. Fishermen are being trained, and local fisheries officials are working with public representatives to reduce the use of harmful Chinese nets, prevent the killing of fry and spawning fish, regulate irrigation fishing, and curb excessive pesticide use on land. The annual fish demand in the district is 70,530 tonnes.
Krishna, a local fisherman, shared his experience: "I was born in the haor region. Since childhood, I have been making a living by catching fish with my father. If we don't catch fish, we won't survive. If the government could stop the use of small-looped nets – popularly known as current nets and Chinese nets – in the haor, we would be able to catch fish year-round."
District Fisheries Officer Shahidul Islam acknowledged the challenges, noting that environmental pollution, lack of timely rains, and the use of harmful nets have contributed to decreasing fish production.
However, he highlighted the record production of 28,020.52 tonnes of fish in the fiscal year 2022-2023.
"We are conducting regular campaigns to stop the use of small-looped nets to maintain this pattern of fish production. Efforts are also underway to ensure that those leasing the haors do not engage in destructive fishing practices. We are working to implement the Fisheries Act to enhance natural fish production," added Shahidul Islam.