Central Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on Selecting Appropriate Mesh-size for Hilsa Gillnets

Abstract

This proceeding presents a summary of the presentations of all speakers and feedback received from the participants in the ‘Central Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on Selecting Appropriate Mesh-size for Hilsa Gillnets’ organized by ECOFISH-Bangladesh Project jointly implemented by WorldFish, Bangladesh and the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh at the Hall Room, Matshya Bhaban, Dhaka on May 23, 2019. The objective of the workshop was to share the findings of the drift gillnet selectivity study and harvest the views of the stakeholders for determining the mesh size for the legal gillnets used in the hilsa fishery. The seminar was chaired by Mr. ASM Rashedul Haque, Director General, Department of Fisheries, and a number of dignitaries such as Mr. Md. Towfiqul Arif, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock, Dr. Md. Abdul Wahab, Team Leader, ECOFISH-BD project, WorldFish, Dr. Yahia Mahmud, Director General, BFRI were present in the workshop. WorldFish Scientist, Dr. Md. Jalilur Rahman presented experimental findings of WorldFish and BFRI on appropriate mesh-size. A total of 60 participants from different organizations including District and Divisional Officers from DoF, BFRI, Universities, River Police representatives from Fishers Associations, and other stakeholders (Annex-1). The seminar was conducted in three sessions. At first, a short introductory session followed by a keynote presentation and finally an open discussion session covering the views of all participants. The program was highly appreciated for taking such a great initiatives to select appropriate mesh sizes based on the research findings and opinions of the stakeholders and highlighted the management implications of the appropriate mesh sizes. After thorough discussion, a replacement of currently used 4.5 cm mesh size for Hilsa gillnets by an appropriate mesh size between 6.0 cm and 6.5 cm has been decided unanimously. MoFL will take the final decision and promulgate a gazette notification shortly in this regard.