Many of our friends ask us if there is any opportunity for saltwater fishing in Bangladesh. We are really overwhelmed to see your interest about Bangladeshi angling, especially angling in saltwater. To be honest, saltwater angling has not been widely practiced in Bangladesh, though the country is full of potentials for saltwater angling adventures. The Bay of Bengal is full of biological diversity, diverging amongst coral reefs, estuaries, fish spawning and nursery areas, and mangroves. The Bay of Bengal is one of the World’s 64 largest marine ecosystems.
We have made a survey about the potentials and possibilities about saltwater fishing in Bangladeshi water. Geographically Bangladesh is situated in a very important fishing zone. The Bay of Bengal produces more than three million tons of fishes of different varieties every year where Bangladesh produces about two hundred thousand tons. It is the largest bay in the world. A wide range of marine eco-system has been developed here in millions of years. Besides, being the mouths of the Ganges delta it is as well as a spawning ground for many saltwater species.
The South-Western region of Bangladesh consists of Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans is zigzagged with hundreds of coastal rivers and water bodies. Fishing is one of the main ways of living in this area. This area has been reported to be a great place for shark anglers.
Cox’s Bazaar district consists of the largest sea beach of the world. This 120 kilometers of coastline has thousands of promising spots for any exciting fishing holyday. One of the main saltwater fishing zones belongs here. And luckily, it starts within 100 meters (in many places less) from the shoreline. Last year many record sized fishes were caught from the Bay of Bengal among them a 76 lbs golden snapper and two swords, each having a weigh of more than 200 lbs were prominent. Other than these catches five sailed fishes caught media attention last year. All these fishes were caught by nets. But it has given a message to all the hard-core anglers who want to explore the Bay of Bengal for big games.
The mouths of many great South-Asian river belong to the Bay of Bengal which is a very important fishing zone for Bangladesh. The Kuakata sea beach of Patuakhali district, Island of Cox’s Bazaar district, Sundarban of Khulna and Bagerhat district are the home of many game species. Talang Queenfish, Hard Tail Scad, Giant SeaPerch, Humphead Snapper, Giant Groupers, John’s Snapper, Red Snapper, Breams, Indian Salmon, Cobia are worth mentioning. For more adventurous people there are of course Sail Fish, Sharks, many exotic species of catfish and some Marlins as well.
The Saint Martin Island is the only coral island of Bangladesh. The island is a breeding ground for many exotic marine animals including some giant sea-turtles. The island is very promising for adventurous saltwater anglers. Especially the southern part of the island is full of surprises.
The possibilities of saltwater fishing in Bangladesh are beyond description. It requires some systematic survey to bring the hidden treasures out for everyone else. We hope extreme anglers would come forward to make more saltwater fishing expeditions and let others help with their experiences and information.
By: Nasim Hasan
