Editorial
Stop cultivation of predator fish
Indigenous varieties under threat
It seems that those at the policymaking end, who should know better, are either not aware or not worried at the potential harm to our indigenous fish population. Otherwise how do the authorities remain unconcerned if not oblivious of the deleterious consequences of unbridled cultivation of African catfish that has been going on for a long time in our country, but more intensively as well as extensively of late? A recent report on the breeding of this variety of fish gives one much cause for worry about the future of sweet water fish in Bangladesh that might be greatly endangered unless the cultivation of the carnivorous African catfish is reined in. Cultivation of the even more dangerous piranha adds to the bleak prospect.In the first place it was most ill advised to import this variety, which we understand was done against the better counsel of the experts and environmentalists. And to think that it was the fisheries department that imported it is even worse. Admittedly, the motivation that may have acted in favour of importing such a variety was its quick and intensive rate of reproduction that would have made up for the demand of cheap proteins in the country in a short span of time. But in doing so one shouldn't have overlooked the long-term consequences of the policy. Pure monetary consideration without bearing in mind the impact on the population, environment and the fauna of the country speaks of poor foresight of our planners. The African catfish not only endangers other varieties of fish when it takes refuge in ponds and other water bodies during floods, being like a scavenger fish it feeds on anything and everything, dead or alive, which can prove injurious to human beings consuming it. We suggest that if our fish population is to be saved from extinction, the cultivation of African catfish must be stopped forthwith, without waiting for legislation. One does not need legislation to prevent a harmful practice, which this is. But if necessary, appropriate laws should be enacted to see an end to this.
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