A two-month ban on crab harvesting in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans’ Satkhira Range came into force on Thursday as the crab breeding season begins. The restriction will remain effective until February 28.
Following the ban, crab fishermen have started returning from deep forest areas to their localities. The Forest Department, however, said regular fishing activities will continue during the period.
Burigoalini Forest Station Officer (SO) Md Ziaur Rahman said the government imposed the seasonal ban to ensure uninterrupted crab breeding in the Sundarbans’ river systems. He noted that several species of crabs migrate from the sea into the rivers during this period to lay eggs.
“Forest patrols have been intensified to protect the breeding process,” he added.
According to Forest Department data, 14 species of crabs are found in the aquatic areas of the Bangladesh portion of the Sundarbans.
On Wednesday, numerous crab-catching boats were seen returning to local areas along the banks of the Chunkuri River in Munshiganj of Shyamnagar upazila.
Crab fisherman Nur Hossain of Harinagar village said many fishermen failed to earn enough this season due to fear of forest pirates. As a result, he said, he lacks sufficient savings to support his family during the ban period and will have to rely on loans from moneylenders. He urged the government to provide assistance to affected fishermen.
Sources at the Shyamnagar Upazila Fisheries Office said the upazila has 22,220 registered fishermen, nearly half of whom depend on crab harvesting for their livelihood.
Md Fazlul Haque, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range, said crabs are a major source of foreign currency earnings. He added that all preparations have been completed to facilitate breeding during the season.
“Fishermen have been strictly instructed not to harvest crabs during the ban, and all passes and permits for crab collection have been suspended,” he said, adding that fishing activities will continue as usual throughout the period.
