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Govt Lifts 8-Year Ban on Fishing in Naf River
The government has lifted the eight-year fishing ban on the Naf River, a key waterway that borders southeastern Bangladesh and northwestern Myanmar. The ban, which was imposed in 2018 to combat drug trafficking and prevent Rohingya infiltration, has now been revoked, allowing fishing to resume in the river.
The decision was formalized in an order signed by Assistant Commissioner M. Quamrul Islam of the Cox's Bazar District Administration on Thursday. Under the new rules, fishing is allowed only within Bangladesh's territorial waters, stretching from Shah Porir Dwip to Teknaf Jetty, and is permitted between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
The approval is initially valid for three months, with the possibility of renewal depending on the security situation at the border. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard authorities have been informed of the change, and fishermen are required to present their identification cards or tokens at five designated BGB checkpoints before setting out and cooperate with inspections upon return.
Fishermen are also instructed not to cross Bangladesh's maritime boundary while fishing, and evading checkpoints is strictly prohibited.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sheikh Ehsan Uddin clarified, "The permission is temporary, and we will review the border situation before deciding on any extension."
Fishermen, who have long awaited the lifting of the ban, expressed their satisfaction with the decision. "Fishermen are happy to receive this permission," said Aman Ullah, president of the Teknaf Matshyajibi Samity.
The fishing ban had been in place since 2018, when the previous Awami League government imposed the embargo to curb yaba smuggling through the river.