DIPANKAR ROY, Khulna

Unauthorised fishing of mother crabs, especially during the ongoing breeding season in different rivers and canals in the coastal areas adjacent to the Sundarbans has been going on unabated.

Generally, crabs lay eggs near the Sundarbans region on a large scale during January and March but they end up as preys to fishermen before they release the eggs.

During a recent visit to the areas, including Nalian, Kalabogi, Sutorkhali, Banishanta, Laudob, Joimonirghol, Angtihara, Bedkashi, this correspondent found hundreds of fishers catching crabs and shrimps with nets and traps.

Huge quantities of mother crabs were seen at different markets, including Kalabogi, Nalian, Chalna Bazar, Batiaghata Bazar, Dumuria, Paikgachha, Koyra of Khulna, Joymonirghol, Chila Bazar, Foilarhat and Rampal, Mongla of Bagerhar and many other places in the region, despite a ban by the environment ministry.

Nilkanta Munda (53) of Uttar Bedkashi village of Koyra upazila, said, “I generally avoid catching crab during the ban period but sometimes I’m left with no other choice.”

“Fishermen catch of 3-4kg crabs daily and each kg sells for Tk 200-500,’’ he added.

Like Nilkanta, around 500 residents of Uttar and Dakkhin Bedkashi union depend on crab netting.

“I don’t have other work besides crab and prawn fishing. How can I feed my six-member family during these two months? I need extra money for educational expenses of my two school-going sons,” said Sarati Mundar of the same village. “If we could get some incentive for these two months, we would’ve avoided crab fishing.”

This correspondent met three forest staffers responsible for monitoring and conducting drives in different areas of the Sundarbans. They said due to lack of manpower, they cannot cover all the places for inspection. Seeking anonymity, one forest guard said it’s impossible to keep locals from entering the Sundarbans.

Dilip Kumar Datta, professor of environmental sciences at Khulna University, said, “The majority of fishermen in the Sundarbans are crab fishermen. They should be encouraged not to catch the undersized crabs, required for conserving the ecology of Sundarbans.”