A fish trader sells Baghair openly

Ashraful Islam Joy:

A Gangetic Goonch, commonly known as Baghair fish, weight at around one mound, was sold openly at Kodda fish market in Sirajganj Sadar upazila of the district on Monday.

Though, the hunting, buying, selling and transporting of this “critically endangered” fish is legally prohibited, such hunting and selling of this fish go on in different markets in the district almost regularly on the top of nose of the authorities concerned, many complained.

Scientifically known as Bagarius yarrelli, this freshwater fish is “critically endangered” in the Red List of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The fish is also a protected wildlife species under Schedule-2 of the 
Bangladesh Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012.

According to this law, fishing, buying, selling, transporting or possessing Baghair fish is a punishable offence and the maximum punishment for this offence is one-year imprisonment or a fine of Tk 50,000 or both.

Despite the ban, Rafiqul Islam, a fish trader brought the large shape of Baghair fish caught by the net in Jamuna river to the Kodda fish market on Monday morning and sell it Tk 1300 per kg.  He, however, said that, he was not aware about the legal barrier to purchasing or selling of the fish. Besides, none of the authorities says him earlier about the barrier.

Rich and capable people bought the fish from him, while selling openly in the market after circulating through a loud speaker; Tukku Muktar confirmed the matter through a post on his verified facebook wall.

It is learnt that, the large shape of Baghair fish was caught by the net of fishermen from the Jamuna river early Monday and it was sold in the local Kodda fish market openly following the morning ignoring the government directives. But, it was matter of surprise that, no one of the authorities concerned took any initiative to stop such open sale, even after the matter was circulated through loud speaker in the area.

When the large-size Baghair fish was brought to market for sale, the seller in collaboration with the Baza’ar Committee announces the news in and around the fish market by the loud speaker. The Baza’ar Committee leaders asked the seller to keep it display for public.

Monzurul Alam Boni, a buyer of the market told The Daily Sky that, “The sale of such species of Baghair fish is going on almost all markets in the district on the top of nose of the authorities concerned regularly. But no one is paying heeds in this regard. Netting and selling of this fish are legally offensive. If such activities go on randomly, such species of fish will be endangered shortly.  As the fish is protected by the Wildlife Act, the forest and the fisheries departments should take stern action against the fishing and selling. A massive awareness campaign is also needed to increase public awareness,” he added.

While contacted over cell phone, Motlubur Rahman, Divisional Forest Officer (Additional Charge) of District Forest Office in Sirajganj told The Daily Sky that, “Selling and netting of Baghair fish are punishable offense. But, many influential market committee members instigate sellers to sell those fishes openly for making money showing thumb to the law. I heard about it, but I could not take any action in this regard so far. I shall take necessary action in future, if get any news before appearing and selling in the market.”

Seeking anonymity, another senior official of the forest department said, “We understood that the fishermen and sellers are ignoring the law that raises questions over the responsibility of the authorities concerned, as such species of fishes are being caught and sold in the market openly.”

“The concerned authorities should start awareness campaign as soon as possible to stop selling of such species of fishes to protect the biodiversity. Besides, law enforcers should take legal action, if Baghair fish is brought to market and displayed for sale,” he said.