Banned piranha seized at fish market in N’ganj

The Fisheries Office of Narayanganj Sadar Upazila seized around 25kg of banned piranha fish and fined a fish vendor Tk 5,000 for selling the prohibited species, during a drive conducted at a fish market in Fatullah on Thursday.

The drive was conducted at the fish market near Bhuiyanagar Bus Stand. Later, Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md Tarif Al Tawhid conducted a mobile court at the spot.

Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Md Asaduzzaman Asad acted as the prosecution officer during the drive. The seized piranha fish was later distributed to an orphanage.

According to the Sadar Upazila Fisheries Office, the operation was launched following information that banned piranha fish was being sold at the market near Bhuiyanagar Bus Stand.

Fisheries Officer Md Asaduzzaman Asad confirmed the matter, saying piranha poses a serious threat to the country’s aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Its farming and sale are completely banned in Bangladesh, he said, adding that such drives will continue.