Illegal Trawling Boat Seized by Coast Guard in Banshkhali

Reporter: Monir Hossain

In Banshkhali, Chattogram, the Coast Guard has seized an illegal artisanal trawling boat along with nets and marine fish. On Tuesday, January 20th, Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque disclosed the information.

Based on secret information, a special operation was conducted by the Banshkhali Coast Guard contingent in the early hours of Monday, January 19th, around 3 AM. The operation took place near the confluence of the Khatkhali River under Banshkhali Police Station. During the operation, the Coast Guard’s team signaled an illegal artisanal trawling boat to stop. However, the suspects on board ignored the signal and quickly abandoned the boat at the nearby riverbank before escaping into the locality.

Upon searching the boat, the operational team seized four trawling nets valued at approximately 2.2 million BDT and 2,800 kilograms of marine fish. Subsequently, in the presence of the Senior Fisheries Officer of Banshkhali Upazila, the trawling equipment was removed from the seized artisanal trawling boat and the illegal nets were destroyed. The seized marine fish were auctioned, and the proceeds were deposited into the government treasury.

The officer further stated that the Coast Guard will continue such operations to protect marine resources in the future.