Dhaka: Bangladesh will soon issue identity cards to local fishermen in a bid to check piracy in the Sundarbans and the Bay of Bengal.
Without the identity cards provided by the Bagerhat district administration, no fisherman will be allowed to go for fishing in coastal areas, the Daily Star reported.
The decision was taken by the district law and order committee to identify the fishermen and pirates.
Mohammad Akram Hossain, deputy commissioner of the district, said: “The identity cards would be provided to fishermen after getting certificates from trawler owners and relevant fishermen’s organisations.”
Lieutenant Hasanu-zzaman, staff officer of the Mongla Coastguard, said that during operations in the Sundarbans and in the bay, the coast guards often cannot identify the pirates.
“Pirates sometime in the guise of fishermen go to the bay to loot trawlers and also kidnap fishermen for ransom,” he said.
Around 20 lakh people in the district earn their livelihood through fishing.
In September, pirates attacked at least 50 trawlers, looted fish and fishing nets, and also kidnapped around 100 fisherman for ransom, officials said. (IANS)
