Mother fish of different indigenous species have started releasing eggs in the Halda River in Chattogram, the lone natural fish breeding sanctuary in the world. Some popular species of fishes specially Ruhi, Katla, Mrigel and Kalibaush released record quantity of eggs on Sunday night in the river Halda. These fishes usually release eggs between March to June. Though mother fishes took long time to release eggs this year, its quantity is sufficient.
Over 700 fishermen in 300 small boats have collected huge quantity of eggs in the early hours of Monday from a 12-14-km area of the river stretching from Hathazari to Raozan. They are hoping that if there is heavy rain with thunderstorms, mother fish continue releasing eggs in full swing in the river during high tide or low tide.
The river Halda is the only natural breeding ground in the world where sweet water species like these fishes release their eggs at a certain period of the monsoon over a century. The amount of egg collection from the river and supply of fish fry is expected to be increased significantly this year following various measures taken at both public and private levels that include training of poor egg-collectors on modern fry-breeding process and awareness campaign to stop killing of mother fishes during peak season.
Authorities must take
steps to ensure safe
breeding of mother fish
A 10-kilometre area, from Ramdas Munshirhat to Sattar canal, is considered to be the breeding ground of brood fish during peak breeding period. As the illegal activity of fish hunters still continues during the time of releasing eggs by mother fish in Halda, authorities concerned must intensify vigilance along the river bank.
Unfortunately, despite monitoring and regular drives, a section of fishermen are still casting illegal and harmful fishing nets in the river. Therefore, upazila administration, naval police and fisheries office will also have to be stationed there alongside regular drive to protect the only natural fish breeding ground of the country.
Reducing of man-made disaster like indiscriminate hunting of mother fishes (egg carrying fishes) and river pollution will be playing a major role in releasing the huge amount of eggs this year.
Authorities must take steps to ensure safe breeding of mother fish. Besides, all kinds of assistance and supervision will also have to be provided by the local administration and fisheries department to ensure necessary facilities for the egg collectors. Therefore, the important economic river of the country, Halda River, also known as a fish bank, will be survived, continue giving us the delicious indigenous species of different fish.
