Rangamati, Aug 12 (V7N) — Fishing activities have resumed in Rangamati’s Kaptai Lake after a three-month-and-15-day ban was lifted at midnight on Monday, bringing renewed activity to one of the region’s major fishing hubs.

Fishermen began venturing into the lake with boats and nets soon after the ban was withdrawn. Fish started arriving at various landing stations in Rangamati from Tuesday morning, while ice factories resumed operations and fish traders and workers returned to work.

However, traders said the fish caught during the first phase after the ban were relatively small, raising some concerns alongside their expectations for a strong season. They hope larger fish will become more abundant in the coming days as the lake’s water level begins to fall.

Boats carrying fish were seen arriving at four landing stations in Rangamati from Tuesday morning. The stations became busy with unloading, sorting, weighing and transporting fish to markets. Fish supplies also began returning to normal at markets across the town.

Fishing in Kaptai Lake is suspended annually for a specified period to allow carp species to breed naturally and young fish to grow. This year, a ban on fishing, marketing and transportation of fish came into effect at midnight on April 24 to protect fish breeding and conserve the lake’s fisheries resources.

The ban was lifted at midnight on Monday after completing the scheduled three-month-and-15-day period. Its withdrawal brought relief to fishing communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on the lake.

Abdul Shukkur, general secretary of the Kaptai Lake Fish Traders’ Association, said traders had returned to work after the prolonged suspension.

“Fish are relatively small at the moment, which creates uncertainty over costs and profits,” he said. Transport, ice, labour and other expenses could make it difficult for traders to recover their costs. However, he said stable demand and prices in the Dhaka and Chattogram markets could help sustain the business.

He also expressed hope that the size of the fish would increase within a few days, allowing traders to make a profit.

Md Foyez Al Karim, manager of the Rangamati BFDC landing station, said a significant quantity of fish arrived at the station on the first day after the ban was lifted.

“Fishermen are operating comfortably and landing activities are proceeding normally,” he said.

Although the fish are currently somewhat smaller, their size is expected to increase in the coming days, he said. The lake currently has a high water level, which means larger fish are being caught in comparatively smaller numbers. As the water level falls, the presence of larger fish is expected to increase.

According to BFDC data, around 8,500 metric tonnes of fish were landed from Kaptai Lake in the last fiscal year. The organisation has increased its landing capacity to 10,000 metric tonnes in the current fiscal year.

Officials and stakeholders expect that achieving the target will increase fish supplies from the lake and boost economic activity involving fishermen, traders, workers, ice factories and other related sectors.

Fish supplies have already begun returning to normal in Rangamati’s markets following the resumption of fishing. However, the performance of the fish trade in the coming days will largely depend on fish size, market prices and demand in major markets, including Dhaka.

The resumption of fishing has restored an important source of employment for local fishermen after the prolonged ban. At the same time, the extent to which the suspension period has benefited the natural breeding and growth of fish in the lake will become clearer in the coming months.

Stakeholders hope the opportunity created for fish breeding and juvenile growth during the ban will contribute to higher fish production in the next season.

END/AMR/SMA/