A two-month ban on crab harvesting has come into effect in the Sundarbans Satkhira range from Thursday, 1 January, marking the start of the crab breeding season.
The restriction will remain in force until 28 February.
The Forest Department said the ban applies to all rivers and canals in the Satkhira range of the Sundarbans. Fishing for other species will continue during the period.
As the ban began, fishermen started returning from deep forest areas to nearby localities.
Burigoalini Forest Station Officer Md Ziaur Rahman said the government imposed the two-month ban to ensure uninterrupted crab breeding. Several crab species inhabit the rivers of the Sundarbans. During the breeding season, crabs migrate from the sea into rivers to lay eggs. The Forest Department has strengthened patrols to protect the process.
According to Forest Department data, 14 crab species live in the water bodies of the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans.
At the Chunkuri River in Munshiganj under Shyamnagar upazila, many crab harvesting boats were seen returning to shore.
Nur Hossain, a crab harvester from Harinagar village, said they failed to catch enough crabs this season due to fear of forest pirates. He said he now lacks savings to support his family during the ban and will have to rely on loans from moneylenders. He urged the government to provide assistance during the restriction period.
Sources at the Shyamnagar Upazila Fisheries Office said the upazila has 22,220 registered fishermen. Nearly half of them depend on crab harvesting.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Md Fazlul Haque of the Sundarbans Satkhira range said crabs remain a key source of foreign exchange earnings.
He said the Forest Department has completed all preparations to increase crab breeding. Authorities have issued strict instructions to fishermen to stop crab harvesting during the breeding season.
All crab harvesting passes and permits remain suspended during the ban, while fishing for other species will continue.
