Fishermen in Rajshahi are catching a large number of big Pangas fish from river Padma near Rajshahi from last two weeks.
It is learnt, the local breed of freshwater catfish of shark species commonly known as Pangas fish (Pangasius Valenciennes) is a popular, tasty, delicious food item and a source of protein. This costly fish is now being caught in a large scale by the fishermen of Rajshahi in recent days.
Fisheries Department Officials and Pisciculture Researchers in Rajshahi informed the cause of the increase of a stock of Pangas fish in the river Padma was as a result of steps of preservation of Hilsha fish in the country. As a result of the step, huge and large-sized Pangas fish are being caught in the river Padma surrounding Rajshahi district during the current season.
Sources further informed, at least 25 per cent more Pangas fish are being caught, most of those are large in size, during the current year than those of the previous years. Such a situation of a huge catch was as a result of Fish Preservation Project in the river Padma for the last several years.
They further said a ban in the catching of Hilsha is imposed every year during a certain period time for the preservation of the Mother Hilsha on the sea and in rivers.
The ban has played a positive role in the increase of Hilsha fish in the rivers and at the same time the increase of Pangas stocks as well.
Akheri Naima, Senior Scientific Officer of Fisheries Research Institute informed, the timing of laying of eggs and breeding of Pangas fish is nearly the same time that of the Hilsha fish that is why the Hilsha preservation steps also played a vital role for Pangas preservation as well.