We wrote previously about the use of the mosquito nets. Many
of the fishermen have opted not to continue to use these because they understand
the effects (no more fish). While many of these people have opted out, some
still continue.
These for the most part are doing the work under the strong arms of mafia that control the water use in the region. Nets are given to these fishermen, on “loan” or other types of
support, creating a situation where they
then owe the mafia bosses in ways that cannot be paid back easily. In return, the
fishermen are required to give a cut of either money made from the fish
captured or even part of the catch. We have interviewed these fishermen and
learned that all are regularly threated and beaten to control this activity. It
is a serious human rights problem. And sadly, the local authorities are turning
their eyes away from it (they are on “the pay roll”). This part of India could
be best described as still sort of like the wild west (United States reference).
In this situation, having law and order as we know it today is very hard to
establish and to maintain.
Blue mosquito nets used for fishing the rivers in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh (Photo: JLewis, TDRF) |
These for the most part are doing the work under the strong arms of mafia that control the water use in the region. Nets are given to these fishermen, on “loan” or other types of
Tiny mesh size of the mosquito netting used to make fishing traps and
nets (Photo: JLewis, TDRF)
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