Dhaka, Oct. 18 -- Civil society representatives in Barishal have urged the government to ensure that small-scale and marginalised fishers, including the floating Manta community, are fully included in food aid and Alternative Income Generation Activities (AIGA) programmes during fishing ban periods.

The call came at a divisional seminar titled "Not just imposing fishing bans -- ensure safe and sustainable livelihoods for small-scale fishers," organised by COAST Foundation at the Barishal Press Club on Saturday.

Speakers said that while fishing bans are vital for conservation, they have left thousands of small fishers without income or food security. Government allocations remain inadequate -- covering less than one-third of household ex...