Kaptai, Mar 07 (V7N) – The production of Rui fish in Kaptai Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest artificial lake, has declined sharply, while the quantity of small fish has increased, according to local fishermen and traders.

Kaptai Lake, created in 1961 with the construction of the Karnaphuli Hydropower Generation Station, spans 700 square miles and has become both a major tourist attraction and a vital freshwater fish reserve. Thousands of fishing families rely on the lake for their livelihoods, harvesting species including Rui, Katla, Mrigel, and Kalibaush for markets across Bangladesh, including Dhaka and Chittagong.

Every evening, fishermen set out in boats, casting nets overnight to return with the catch in the morning. However, traders and fishermen report that large fish are becoming rare, while small fish dominate the harvest, reducing profits.

The Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) oversees harvesting and marketing in the lake. Officials said that fish collection and government revenue have both increased this season. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, about 8,200 metric tons of fish were harvested, generating Tk 16 crore in revenue. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, fish collection rose to 8,500 metric tons, producing Tk 19 crore in revenue.

Fisheries officials attribute the growth in overall fish production to the regular release of fry and temporary restrictions on fishing, which help maintain supply.

Experts, however, warn that for Kaptai Lake to regain its stock of large fish, stricter measures are needed, including environmental protection, prohibition of illegal nets, and enforcement of sustainable fishing rules.

Since the BFDC began commercial fishing in 1964, more than 20,000 fishermen have depended on the lake. With proper management, Kaptai Lake could play an even larger role in Bangladesh’s freshwater fish production.

END/SMA/AJ