Release of fertilised eggs in Halda begins

CHATTOGRAM, May 07: Brood fish started to release fertilised eggs in the Halda river, the country's lone natural fish spawning water body, from Tuesday.

Earlier on Monday, brood stock released sample eggs in the Halda.

Fishermen can collect fertilised eggs from the Halda river bed and arrange for them to hatch later, whereas only hatched fish fry can be caught in other rivers.

Hathazari upazila chairman Rashed Alam said, "Brood fish released sample eggs on Monday. They started releasing fertilised eggs around 6:00 am on Tuesday. Spawning will continue up to 15 days."

"We have taken all necessary measures to monitor the Halda to save mother fish as it's the prime source of fish eggs in the country," he added. Mother fish have started brooding as the rains set in. Egg collectors and hatcheries are getting ready to preserve eggs."

"The government has taken steps to stop netting in the Halda before the brooding of eggs. So, brooding may be satisfactory this season," he added.

Fishermen collected eggs from Maishyakorom Chailyakhali area under Raozan upazila in Chattogram since Tuesday morning till the filing of this report at 6:00 pm.

Most of the eggs are being collected from Ajimer Ghat, Khalifar Ghona, Onkuri Ghona, Ninajuru, Sonair Mukh, Abur Khil, Sattar Ghat, South Gohira, Mogdhai, Mobarak Khil, Urkirchar, Napiter Ghat and Sipahir Ghat areas.

Dr Manjurul Kibria, a zoology professor at Chattogram University, said, "Brood fish have started to release fertilised eggs in the Halda. Egg collectors may collect eggs until May 10."

Chattogram district fisheries officer Farhana Lovely hopes fishermen will collect huge eggs as the brooding season (May 06 to 10/12) has started.

"Fishermen collected buckets of eggs on Tuesday. We're prepared to preserve the eggs at hatcheries in Chattogram," he said.

Hundreds of fishermen are passing time on boats in the Halda collecting eggs of fish like rohu, katla and mrigal.

Pakhi Ram Das, an egg collector, said, "I usually collect eggs from Chailyakhali area under Raozan upazila."

The government declared the Halda and also 23,422 acres of land adjoining the banks of the river as 'Bangabandhu Fisheries Heritage' on 24 December 2020.

The declaration preserves fish and the rich ecosystem of the Halda.

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