Mother fishes of different indigenous species have started releasing mass of sample roe in the Halda River in Chattogram, the lone natural fish breeding sanctuary in the world. Some delicious and popular species of fish especially Ruhi, Katla, Mrigel and Kaliboush released sample eggs at Choillakhali in Moishkarom area of Raozan upazila in the river during the low tide.
Many fishermen in small boats are waiting to collect the eggs from a 12-14-km area of the river stretching from Hathazari to Raozan as if there is a small amount of rain during the lunar phase of the new moon, the fish will start laying eggs in full swing due to the maturation of the gonads. They are hoping that if there is thundershower, mother fish can start releasing eggs in full swing in the river during high tide or low tide.
These fishes usually release eggs between March and June in the Halda River situated over Hathazari and Raozan upazila. The amount of eggs will increase this year as the weather is expected to be favourable.
The river Halda is
the only natural
breeding ground
in the world
The river Halda is the only natural breeding ground in the world where sweet water species like these fishes release their eggs at a certain period of the monsoon. The amount of egg collection from the river and supply of fish fry is expected to increase significantly this year following various measures taken at both public and private levels that include training of poor egg collectors on modern fry-breeding process and awareness campaign to stop the killing of mother fishes during peak season.
We think these measures will also increase the volume of fish stock in the river. A 10-kilometre area, from Ramdas Munshirhat to Sattar canal, is considered to be the breeding ground of brood fish during the peak breeding period.
Unfortunately, despite monitoring and regular drives, a section of fishers are still casting illegal and harmful fishing nets in the river. Upazila administration, naval police and fisheries office will also have to be stationed there alongside regular drive to protect the only natural fish breeding ground of the country.
