Activists warn that China-origin fishing traps and illegal practices are accelerating wetland degradation, collapsing fish stocks and endangering traditional fishing livelihoods across Bangladesh.
Environmental activists, social watchdogs and traditional fishing communities across Bangladesh have warned that the unchecked spread of China-origin fishing traps and other illegal fishing practices is accelerating wetland degradation, collapsing fish stocks and pushing indigenous fishers toward economic ruin.
The warning was issued on Sunday at a press conference in Rajshahi city in northwestern Bangladesh, organised to mark World Wetlands Day 2026. Speakers said the crisis unfolding in Rajshahi’s wetlands mirrors similar patterns seen along major rivers such as the Jamuna, pointing to systemic failures in fisheries governance and law enforcement nationwide.
The event, held at SK Food World Restaurant, was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge, Green Coalition, Varendra Youth Forum and the Agroecology Fund. This year’s global observance is being held under the theme “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” highlighting the role of indigenous practices in sustaining aquatic ecosystems.
Presenting the keynote paper, Shahidul Islam, Regional Coordinator of the Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge, said the ultra-fine mesh used in China-origin duari fishing traps indiscriminately captures fish of all sizes including eggs, fry and plankton, severely disrupting natural breeding cycles.
He warned that native species such as rui, katla, shing and magur are facing rapid population decline due to overexploitation. Shahidul presented two research papers analysing the ecological and governance implications of the issue, arguing that the widespread use of such fishing technology reflects weak regulation of inland fisheries and ineffective wetland management.
“These traps are not only overharvesting fish but also altering wetland ecology,” he said. “Improper installation blocks natural water flow, increases siltation and reduces oxygen levels, suffocating aquatic life and destroying habitats.”
Abu Sama, General Secretary of the Naohata Fishermen Cooperative Society, placed a six-point demand before authorities, saying highly efficient commercial fishing traps have marginalised traditional fishers across the Rajshahi region.
“Fish stocks have declined so sharply that fishers using sustainable methods are returning home with little or no catch,” he said. He also warned that synthetic nylon fibre used in many traps is non-biodegradable, contributing to long-term plastic pollution in rivers and wetlands. Abandoned gear often continues to trap fish and other aquatic species, causing prolonged ecological damage.
Atiqur Rahman, President of Varendra Youth Forum, said that although China-origin duari nets are not explicitly named in existing bans, their ultra-fine mesh violates minimum mesh-size requirements under the Bangladesh Fish Conservation and Protection Act, effectively rendering their use illegal.
He called for clearer regulations, stronger enforcement and policy support for traditional fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on environmentally sustainable practices.
The concerns raised in Rajshahi reflect a broader national pattern. Along the Jamuna River, a major channel of the Brahmaputra river system in central Bangladesh, unregulated and illegal fishing practices are pushing aquatic biodiversity toward a deepening crisis.
Local fishing communities report widespread use of government-banned nets including guli jal, kona jal, China-origin duari nets and current nets. The situation is compounded by battery-powered electric fishing, where electric currents are passed through river water, killing fish indiscriminately.
“Electric fishing does not discriminate,” said a senior fisher from the Jamuna basin. “It kills brood fish, juveniles and fingerlings alike. Even fish that are not caught die underwater, silently destroying the river’s future.”
Fisheries experts warn that electric fishing causes widespread unseen mortality of small and juvenile fish, severely damaging aquatic biodiversity and undermining ecological balance.
Illegal harvesting of jatka (juvenile hilsa) using current and kona nets also continues despite legal prohibitions, raising alarm over future hilsa production, a species vital to Bangladesh’s economy, food security and cultural identity.
Concerns are particularly acute in parts of Sirajganj district including the Bahuka area of Ratan Kandi Union near Kazipur Upazila, where residents allege banned nets are used openly with little visible enforcement.
Sirajganj Sadar Upazila Fisheries Officer Amjad Hossain said the authorities are aware of the issue. “We visited the area with police and issued warnings. Legal action will be taken if instructions are not followed,” he said.
Kazipur Upazila Fisheries Officer Hasan Mahmud said reports of battery-powered electric fishing have reached his office. “We are aware of the situation and will take necessary measures very soon,” he said.
However, traditional fishers argue that warnings alone are insufficient. They stress that without regular enforcement drives, seizure of illegal gear and exemplary punishment, protecting Bangladesh’s rivers and wetlands will remain impossible.
Environmental advocates warn that continued wetland degradation has consequences far beyond fisheries, linking the crisis to climate stress, river governance failures and long-term national food security.
