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The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has formally communicated with the commerce ministry for action to curb the illicit trade in mud eel, colloquially known as "Cuchia", into neighbouring India and Myanmar.
Expressing the concern of local eel exporters grappling with losses due to inadequate policy support, the bureau has also implored authorities to expand the pool of farms permitted for eel exports.
Currently, a mere 14 farms have been granted permission by the fisheries and livestock ministry to export this eel variant, which belongs to the swamp eel family.
This cautious approach stems from concerns that allowing additional companies to export this edible aquatic species could potentially threaten its survival.
However, exporters claim that the eel fish variety is not at risk of extinction, as domestic cultivation of the species is well-established. Contrarily, they highlight that a substantial 7-8 tonnes of eel fish are being smuggled daily to the two neighbouring countries.
The EPB has recently dispatched an official communication, urging prompt actions to address these challenges, following a plea from the Bangladesh Live and Chilled Food Exporters Association (BLCFEA).
The association has underscored that its members have been significant contributors to foreign currency earnings through eel exports over several decades.
The sector has been battered by the Covid fallout. Exporters were unable to supply items to China, a key market for crab and eel fish, due to the severe export constraints arising from the pandemic's aftermath.
This was exacerbated by compliance hurdles that emerged alongside pandemic-related difficulties, as noted by the BLCFEA.
An exporter, when approached for comment, said that there is currently a substantial underground trade of eel fish into India and Myanmar, amounting to around 7 to 9 tonnes daily.
The exporter criticised certain traders for providing undersised eel fish, which consequently fetch lower demand and prices in the global market.
The sector currently enjoys a 10 per cent cash incentive for crab and eel fish exports.
Bangladesh exported 2771.54 tonnes of eel fish to various countries, particularly China, in the past fiscal year, according to the association. Generally, live mud crab and eel fish are exported via air transport.