Dhaka, Oct. 14 -- A staggering 56 percent of the small-scale fishermen remain excluded from the government aid during the ban on fishing forcing 70 percent of them to take informal and exploitative loans, said a new study on Monday.

The situation often compels members of the marginalised community to fish illegally for survival, it added, saying that 83 percent of the fishermen receive assistance one to two months after the ban period ends.

COAST Foundation shared the survey findings at a news conference titled "Not Just Imposing Fishing Ban, We Demand Safe Alternative Livelihoods to Ensure Equitable Support for Small-scale Fishers" at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city.

Moreover, 87 percent of the fishermen have no access to income...