2-month ban on crab harvesting in Sundarbans

Forest Department imposed a two-month ban on crab harvesting in the Sundarbans to coincide with the breeding season. 

However, there are no restrictions on the purchase or sale of crabs in local markets during this period.

Effective today (1 January), this ban will remain in place until 28 February, during which the Forest Department will not issue any permits for crab harvesting.

Khulna Regional Forest Conservator Mihir Kumar Doe said such bans are imposed annually during the breeding season. This year's ban is a continuation of that practice.

According to the Forest Department, licenses have been issued for 12,000 boats to collect resources from the Sundarbans. Fishermen use these boats to harvest fish and crabs from within the forest.

The Sundarbans are home to 14 species of crabs, among which only the rock crab is harvested and sold by fishermen. 

Although crab harvesting is prohibited during this time, fishing activities are allowed to continue.

Biyadul Ilsam, a fisherman from Kalabogi village in Khulna, has been harvesting fish and crabs from the Sundarbans for the past 20 years. He mentioned that winter is the peak season for crab harvesting in the Sundarbans. Fishermen typically use bamboo traps and nets for catching crabs. Due to the ban, they are now focusing on obtaining fishing permits instead.

He said, "Depending on the season, there are sometimes restrictions on fishing, sometimes on crab harvesting. Additionally, permission to collect resources like Golpata (Nipa palm) and honey is granted only during specific times of the year."

He further added, "Frequent bans leave poor fishermen unemployed, and we don't receive any support from the government during these periods."

However, Ziaur Rahman, station officer of Burigoalini Forest Station in the Sundarbans, said the ban is primarily aimed at increasing the crab population. 

He explained, "During winter, crabs lay eggs and are easier to catch due to hunger. The ban ensures the crabs' survival and increases their population, benefiting fishermen in the long run."

The largest market for buying and selling crabs from the Sundarbans is Bhaga Bazaar in Bagerhat. According to traders at the market, they send crabs worth at least Tk50 lakh to Dhaka every day, where they are then exported abroad.

Asadul Kabir, a crab trader from Bhaga Bazaar, noted that during the ban, crab trading drops to one-third of its usual volume. "We sustain the business using a limited supply of crabs farmed locally," he said.