Bangladesh: Lifts 8-year fishing ban in Naf River

Fishing in the Naf River, which was closed for eight years to prevent drug trafficking and Rohingya infiltration, has been reopened. The administration has lifted the ban on fishing in the Bangladesh section of the river along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border.  The Cox’s Bazar district administration issued a letter to the Teknaf upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) following a High Court directive.

Confirming the matter, Teknaf UNO Sheikh Ehsan Uddin said: “Fishing in the Naf River is now allowed from 8am to 4pm. Initially, permission has been granted for three months. Relevant authorities, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Coast Guard, have been informed.”

According to the letter, the High Court instructed the Cox’s Bazar deputy commissioner to take necessary steps to resume legal fishing activities in the Naf River. As a result, fishing has been permitted under the following conditions:

The conditions:

1. Fishing is allowed only within Bangladesh’s waters, from Shah Porir Dwip to Teknaf Jetty, between 8am and 4pm.
2. Fishermen must present their tokens or identity cards at five designated BGB checkpoints before heading out and cooperate with inspections upon return. Avoiding checkpoints is strictly prohibited.
3. No fisherman may cross Bangladesh’s maritime boundary.
4. The Fisheries Department will provide an updated list of registered fishermen to the BGB, Coast Guard, and law enforcement to ensure that only registered individuals are allowed to fish.
5. This approval is temporary and will be reviewed after three months based on the border situation.

The reopening of the Naf River after eight years has brought relief to fishermen in Teknaf. Syed Alam, a local fisherman, said: “I have been fishing in the Naf River for 20 years, but the ban imposed in 2017 due to the Rohingya influx made life extremely difficult for us.”

“With Eid approaching, reopening the river feels like a blessing. We are grateful to the government and will ensure that no fishermen engage in drug smuggling or illegal activities,” he added.

Mohammad Aman Ullah, president of the Naf River Fishermen’s Society, welcomed the decision, saying: “After eight long years, the government has finally allowed us to fish again. Fishermen are overjoyed. We will strictly follow the guidelines and prevent any illegal activities.”

Mohammad Abdullah, finance secretary of the district BNP, also appreciated the decision, saying: “Fishermen have endured years of hardship, but now they finally have some relief. We thank the local administration for this initiative.”

The ban was first imposed on August 25, 2017, when Myanmar’s military launched a crackdown on Rohingya communities in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Rathedaung townships, triggering a massive influx of refugees into Bangladesh. To curb both Rohingya infiltration and drug smuggling, the government halted fishing in the Naf River, a restriction that has now been lifted after eight years.