Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained 53 fishermen and seized a large quantity of illegal fishing equipment during two separate overnight operations conducted off the coasts of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. The raids targeted unauthorised artisanal trawling boats and banned behundi nets, which are widely blamed for damaging marine ecosystems.
The operations were carried out on Tuesday night and in the early hours of Wednesday. The first raid took place at the mouth of the Khathkhali River in Banshkhali upazila, Chattogram. The second was conducted near Chhera Dwip, adjacent to St Martin’s Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
The information was confirmed on Thursday morning through an official statement signed by Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque. According to the statement, the operations resulted in the seizure of three behundi nets, 30 trawling nets, and a substantial quantity of illegally caught marine fish.
During the Banshkhali operation on Tuesday night, Coast Guard personnel initially intercepted a boat equipped with a behundi net. A subsequent search of the vessel uncovered five additional illegal nets, valued at approximately BDT 2.8 million, along with around 2,500 kilograms of assorted marine fish. Sixteen fishermen were detained at the scene.
The second and larger operation was carried out at around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday in the north-western waters near Chhera Dwip, close to St Martin’s Island. Two behundi nets were seized initially, followed by a thorough inspection of the boats. Authorities recovered 25 more illegal nets, estimated to be worth BDT 62.8 million, and approximately 3,000 kilograms of marine fish. Thirty-seven fishermen were detained during this operation.
Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haque stated that legal proceedings are currently underway against all detained individuals in accordance with existing fisheries and maritime laws.
Behundi nets are fine-meshed fishing nets that are strictly prohibited due to their destructive impact on marine life. They are commonly attached to small wooden boats that have been illegally fitted with engines, known as artisanal trawling boats. These vessels operate in both shallow and deep waters, indiscriminately capturing fish larvae, egg-bearing mother fish, and the natural food sources of marine species. Environmental experts warn that such practices pose a serious threat to the sustainability of the country’s marine fisheries.
The Coast Guard reiterated its commitment to protecting marine resources and maintaining ecological balance, adding that such enforcement operations will continue to be intensified across Bangladesh’s coastal waters.
Summary of Coast Guard Operations :
| Location | Time of Operation | Fishermen Detained | Illegal Nets Seized | Fish Recovered | Estimated Value of Nets |
| Banshkhali (Khathkhali River mouth) | Tuesday night | 16 | 1 behundi + 5 nets | 2,500 kg | BDT 2.8 million |
| St Martin’s (Chhera Dwip area) | Wednesday, 3:00 a.m. | 37 | 2 behundi + 25 nets | 3,000 kg | BDT 62.8 million |
| Total | — | 53 | 3 behundi + 30 nets | 5,500 kg | BDT 65.6 million |