Egg collection on in Halda

Fish have begun laying eggs in Halda river in Chittagong, one of the largest breeding sanctuaries in South Asia.

District Fisheries Officer Kamal Uddin said the fish began laying eggs after 10:30pm Sunday.

Fishermen also started collecting eggs immediately and worked till Monday afternoon at different points of the river.

“We’re collecting eggs at every point of the river. The yield is quite satisfactory,” Kamal Uddin said.

“The fish began laying eggs on Sunday night after heavy rain.”

The official said all engine-run vessels were barred from the river.

Halda, lying about 81 kilometres across Raujan and Hathajari, is a sanctuary for fish to lay their eggs.

But they only do so during heavy rain and flash floods from the hills, on full moon or dark moon nights.

The temperature and salinity of the water has to be just right, Assistant Professor Manjurul Kibria of Chittagong University Zoology department said.

Several carp species have laid their eggs at Sattar Ghat, Ankuri Ghona, Maduna Ghat, Kantar Ali Chowdhury Ghat, Napiter Ghat and Uttar Madarsha points in the river.

Chhoton Das, a hatchery employee from Hathajari, said if it rained in the afternoon or at night the fish might lay eggs again.