Kaptai Lake fishing ban extended by 10 days

The government has extended the fishing ban in Kaptai Lake by another 10 days, keeping all fish harvesting activities suspended until midnight on August 10 to ensure the natural breeding and conservation of fish stocks.

The decision was taken at a meeting on fishing and fish marketing permissions held at the Rangamati Deputy Commissioner's conference room on Monday (July 27).

According to the new schedule, fishing in South Asia's largest man-made lake will resume on August 11.

Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) Kaptai Lake Fisheries Development Centre Commander Md Fayez Al Karim confirmed the extension.

Local fisheries stakeholders said the decision was made due to rising water levels and the ongoing fish breeding season, which are considered crucial for sustaining fish production in the lake.

The three-month fishing ban had originally taken effect from midnight on April 24 and was scheduled to end on July 31. However, authorities decided to prolong the restriction after assessing that water levels had not increased sufficiently and fish breeding had not progressed as expected.

Officials believe the extended ban will help strengthen fish reproduction and ensure long-term benefits for both the ecosystem and communities dependent on Kaptai Lake's fisheries.