The fishermen residing near the banks of the Naf River have been suffering for over two years due to a ban on fishing which was imposed on August 25, 2017. Primarily this was done to curb the trafficking of yaba into Bangladesh and also to counter the ferrying of Rohingyas into the country.
The fishermen in the adjacent areas have been adhering to the government’s ban until now, but the situation has become tough for them to earn their livelihood.
Recent reports published in this daily portrays the ill times the fishermen have been going through over the last couple of years.
For many of the fishermen, fishing is the primary source of income for their family and livelihood. This ban has caused numerous fishermen to lose their work and as the area’s economy is primarily based on fishing, the employers on the fishing boats have also become unable to hire hands for fishing.
This ban has caused
numerous fishermen
to lose their work
Originally, the ban on fishing in the Naf River was due to increased yaba trafficking and Rohingya influx but it has put the livelihoods of some 8,000 fishermen in jeopardy in the adjacent areas. Moreover, there are reports which state that nearly 50,000 family members of 13,000 fishermen are facing dire situation as there are not enough alternative work there for the fishermen.
While many fishermen of Naf River get food, other basic assistance and support through earning alternative livelihoods the numbers are very few. As a result of which there are numerous families who are living in debt which is continuously getting accumulated.
On the other hand, there have been recent reports of shootings which have resulted in casualties on the Bangladeshi side. The blame for the shooting falls upon Myanmar. The tension ensuing between the two countries is also a cause for which the ban is still being enforced. Although some UN bodies have taken up relief programmes in the area, it is still not enough for the fishermen to survive. Thus it falls upon the incumbent officials to take prompt actions which might resolve the problem or at least help the fishermen get back on their feet.