Bangladesh readies policy to help fishermen killed or disabled in natural disasters

The government has finalised the draft policy for offering incentives for the permanently disabled fishermen and their families, the fisheries and livestock minister has said.

Financial support will also be given to the families of fishermen killed in natural disasters such as cyclones and storm surges, or in attacks by robbers, tigers, crocodiles and snakes during fishing.

“The policy will come into effect following an inter-ministerial meeting,” said Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayan Chandra Chanda.

The families of dead fishermen registered with the Department of Fisheries and having identity cards issued by the government will receive compensations ranging between Tk 50,000 and Tk 100,000, Chanda told bdnews24.com.

Financial assistance ranging from Tk 30,000 to Tk 50,000 will be given to the fishermen who become permanently disabled while fishing.

Under the Fishermen Registration and Identity Card Project launched in 2012, fishermen had availed themselves of the incentives and facilities provided by the government in fiscal 2016-17.

The government believes it is appropriate to continue financial assistance from the fiscal year and provide financial assistance to the fishermen’s families.

According to the fisheries and livestock ministry, 18.5 million people are directly or indirectly dependent on fisheries. Without fishing, there is no alternative source of income for them. Many of them cannot afford fishing nets and boats.

The fishing sector accounted for 3.61 percent of gross domestic product or GDP and 24.41 percent of agricultural GDP.