Naf River opens to fishermen after about 8yrs

Staff Reporter :

After nearly eight years, the government has lifted the ban on fishing in the Naf River, allowing fishermen to resume their activities. The ban, which had been imposed in April 2017, was lifted following a ruling from the High Court and a subsequent memorandum issued by the Cox’s Bazar district administration.

Fishermen, however, will need to comply with five specific conditions to fish in the river, according to a memorandum seen by The Business Standard, which was sent to the Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) from the district administration.

The memorandum, signed by Md Kamrul Islam, Assistant Commissioner of the Civil Suit Branch of the Cox’s Bazar District Administration Office, states: “In light of the ruling of the writ petition of the High Court, the Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner is directed to take necessary steps to resume legal fishing activities by fishermen in the Naf River.”

Teknaf UNO Sheikh Ehsan Uddin confirmed the receipt of the memorandum and assured that the necessary steps are being taken.

Abdul Gani, president of the Jaliapara Fishermen’s Cooperative Association in Shahparir Dwip, Teknaf, expressed relief at the lifting of the ban, saying that local fishermen are celebrating the news.

The fishing activities in the Naf River are now permitted, subject to the following conditions:
Fishing is allowed between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM within the Bangladesh border, from Shahparir Island to Teknaf Jetty Ghat.

Fishermen must present their tokens/identity cards at five designated Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) posts while fishing, and provide assistance to BGB members upon their return.

Fishermen are prohibited from crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border while fishing.

An updated list of registered fishermen will be provided to the BGB, Coast Guard, and law enforcement agencies to ensure that only authorized fishermen are allowed to fish.

The permission is temporary and will be reviewed after three months to assess the border situation, with a decision made on whether to renew the permit.

The lifting of the ban comes as a relief to local fishermen who have been restricted from working in the Naf River for nearly eight years. The move is expected to boost the livelihoods of many families who rely on fishing as their primary source of income.