Dhaka, Oct. 13 -- As much as 56 per cent of small-scale fishers remain excluded from government aid during the annual fishing ban, pushing 70 per cent to take informal and exploitative loans, said a new study on Monday.

The situation often forces marginalised communities to fish illegally for survival, the study added, noting that 83 per cent of beneficiaries receive assistance one to two months after the ban period ends.

COAST Foundation shared the 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.

The study also found that 87 per cent of fishers have no access to income-generating activities (IGA...