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How lifejackets could save fishers’ lives

Dr. Md. Hadayet Ullah and Asaduzzaman Rassel
08 Aug 2022 00:00:00 | Update: 08 Aug 2022 10:02:35
How lifejackets could save fishers’ lives

Twelve fishermen are still missing at sea; a vessel has sunk at sea; the bodies of three more fishermen have been rescued. The fishing families in Char Fashion are mourning the loss of 20 fishermen. At least 9 fishermen were burnt by a gas cylinder explosion in a fishing boat; 15 boats were robbed; 2 fishermen were killed in lightning while fishing in Meghna, and 1.5 lakh fishermen are fishing in from the Bhola district only, whose lives are at the risk.

These are only a few of the headlines that have appeared in the national press over the past few years. All of these reports highlight the dangers faced by many who rely on fishing for a living. Bangladesh is home to millions of people who depend on fishing for their livelihoods in the country's rivers, canals, and oceans. Natural disasters and robberies are common occurrences in the lives of fishermen.

 Marine fishing is the primary source of income for more than 5 million people in Bangladesh's coastal areas.

Following the peaceful resolution of maritime issues with both neighbors, India and Myanmar in 2013-14, Bangladesh can now focus more on expanding its marine fisheries. Artisanal fishermen, on the other, do not have the requisite preparation to take advantage of this new opportunity. Fishermen still collect about 83 percent of the Bay of Bengal's fishing resources using conventional methods. These boats thus lack any modern-day lifesaving equipment or navigation systems to ensure their safety at sea.

There are no life-saving devices available

Coastal fishermen from the southwestern Barguna region are fishing with more than 3,000 boats in the Bay of Bengal through the confluence of the Payra, Bishkhali, and Baleshwar rivers, according to a news report. Apparently, life-saving equipment such as life buoy, life jackets, radios, and compasses are missing from these boats. According to media reports, 90 percent of coastal fishing trawlers/mechanized boats or non-mechanized country boats lack a life buoy and life jacket, and 99 percent lack a compass. Due to a lack of effective oversight, the majority of the fishing boats in the area are unregistered and their overall onboard conditions are extremely poor.

Boat owners ignoring the fishermen-friendly legislation

Artisanal fisheries in the Bay of Bengal is regulated by the "Marine Fisheries Act 2020". A fishing boat with a net capacity of 15 tons or less is considered artisanal. Under this act, the government of Bangladesh offers guidelines and issues licenses to fishing vessels operating in Bangladesh's waters with regard to the type of vessel, the method of storage of fishing gear, vessel inspections, and fishing areas. Safety and security have been described by the "Coast Guard Act 2016". The act ensures maritime safety by preventing crimes and establishing rights over resources. The Bangladesh Coast Guard protects fishers from sea piracy; rescues them during disasters, and channels weather forecasts and alerts. Further, the "Disaster Management Act of 2012" strengthens risk reduction to reduce losses of life and property, including for fishers.

Under the government's policy on fishermen's compensation, support will be offered if a fisherman is killed or permanently handicapped while fishing. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock provides incentive aid to the families of dead fishermen and fishermen who are permanently incapacitated.

The policy stipulates that a fisherman registered with the Department of Fisheries who dies or goes missing while fishing due to storms, cyclones, tidal surges, thunderstorms, and attacks by pirates, tigers, crocodiles, or wild animals will receive a maximum compensation of TK. 50,000 for his family. Besides, the maximum one-time financial support for permanently crippled individuals will be TK 25,000.

The boat skippers (Majhees) are in charge of the fishing vessels' to have the power of ultimate control while the fishers are on duty. They are responsible for the boat's overall safety, efficient operation, and legal compliance.

The USAID funded ECOFISH II activity of WorldFish aimed to educate boat skippers on several elements of biodiversity conservation and responsible fishing in close cooperation with the Department of Fisheries. So far, the project has distributed lifejackets to 665 boat skippers in both Cox’s Bazar and greater Barishal region. The project intends to hold first-aid training sessions and distribute first-aid kits to 200 artisanal boats. These are too small in regard to the requirement, but it is an initiative to encourage boat owners to do the same for their boats for the safety of fishers at sea while fishing.

Fishermen's safety: Recommended actions

Here are the few things listed below that we should start doing right now and encourage fishermen to follow the safety guidelines if we want to save the lives of fishermen:

We should make sure that fishers understand the importance of carrying and wearing life jackets, or immersion suits (as appropriate), or flotation aids. Ensure all boats are registered under the Department Fisheries (DoF). Ensure checking of fishing boats at the landing center for all safety equipment before going for fishing. Keep fishers informed of weather forecasts and alert them to adverse weather.

A fisher must check the radio, magnetic compass for accuracy, and GPS machine if available before sailing. Boat owners and skippers must ensure that emergency equipment is readily available at all times, especially in an emergency, and that everyone on board is aware of its location.

All crew-members must be free of encumbrances that hinder their stay at sea. Fishers who are suspected of being ill should refrain from joining the fishing trip. Fishers must be trained for their survival at sea and provided first-aid kits. Compensation for the families of missing or deceased fishermen should be doubled and given timely.

Ensure all work areas have enough light to allow for safe work, particularly during fishing. Fishers should never drink seawater, even in a dire situation, as drinking seawater would make them die faster. Batteries should be properly ventilated, easily accessible, and away from water.

When off-loading a heavy fish, the fisher should use a winch or rope rather than lifting. Ensure life insurance for all fishers with minimum premium. Install lightning arresters in the boats.

 

Dr. Md. Hadayet Ullah is Scientist, WorldFish Bangladesh, USAID/ECOFISH-II Activity. He can be contacted at M.H.Ullah@cgiar.org

 

Asaduzzaman Rassel, Senior Communications Specialist, WorldFish Bangladesh, USAID/ECOFISH-II Activity, He can be contacted at m.asaduzzaman@cgiar.org

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