He said, Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) personnel from Battalion No.42, Teknaf, seized about 200 kg of Fungesh fish (Bangladesh name), which is similar to river catfish from the Nila-Whaikong border check point, at about 10:30 pm on February 3, as it was being smuggled into Burma.

This seizure was led by Nila BOP (Border Outpost) Company Commander, Josh Meah, according to BGB sources.

Due to a shortage of fish in January and February this year in Chittagong District, the Fungush is being sold for Taka 100 to 120 per kg on the open market. However, it was being sold at less than Taka 80 per kg, a local fish trader from Teknaf said.

All of Burma, including Arakan State, is rich in natural resources. However, people from Arakan are not able to catch fish in streams, ponds, rivers or the open the sea because of restrictions by authorities, especially Nasaka (Burma’s border security force). The Nasaka also collects money from the fishermen, who want to fish in the rivers or sea. So local people in Arakan State are depending on Bangladesh fish, a local fisherman from Maungdaw said.

However, Salman fish (Roi), Carp (Katal), Hilsha, and Lobster are being exported to Bangladesh from Burma legally through the Teknaf Land Port or the Port of Chittagong, said a businessman from Teknaf Land port.