The Coast Guard has arrested 41 fishermen, including two trawlers, for fishing in deep seas in violation of a 65-day-old embargo for proper breeding, production, conservation of marine fisheries and sustainable fishing in marine waters. They were later fined Tk 20,000 by a mobile court.
Executive Magistrate of the mobile court Bayazid bin Akhand fined 41 fishermen detained on Saturday evening. 120 kg of marine fish including hilsa seized from the trawlers have been distributed to local orphanages.
The Coast Guard said a Coast Guard team had been patrolling the seas since Saturday afternoon to enforce the ban. At that time, two trawlers named MV Niha and MV Faiza-2 were seized while fishing in the sea from Tamarddi Ghat area. 41 fishermen were detained from two trawlers and 120 kg of fish including nets were seized. Later, a trawler was fined Tk 10,000 to Tk 20,000 by a mobile court in the evening for violating the ban. The trawler will remain in the custody of the two fisheries offices until further notice. Confirming the matter, the mobile court's executive magistrate Bayazid bin Akhand said the operation would continue to make the ban a success.