GAIBANDHA. Sept 8: Indiscriminate catching of fish fry from open water bodies caused extinction of many species of fish which ultimately will lead to its scarcity in the near future, it is alleged.

Despite restriction imposed by the concerned department fry are being caught in the rivers Brahmaputra. Teesta and Ghagot using current nets.

Besides using of chemical fertilizer and powerful pesticide in the crop fields many of the local species of fish are on the verge of extinction. On the other hand, natural breeding of fish are decreasing due to siltation of river beds, ponds and water pools which went dry during dry season. As such the production of fish specially the local species could not breed duly. All such factors attributed in the fall of fish production in the district.

Many species of fish abundantly available in the ' rainy season are rarely found in the market The markets are sometimes found flooded with the fry of Hilsha and other species.

According to the existing law catching of fish fry below four inches in length is a punishable offence. But for the lack of initiative to enforce the law. the fish production has abnormally fallen causing protein deficiency In the district.