The fishing station or net-setting ground is commonly referred to as “beta” or “katar.” “Beta” is pronounced like the first syllable in “better,” and “ta” sounds like in “taals.” These terms specifically denote strategically designated areas for fishing. Both riverine and marine Baangal-fishers in the Indian Sundarbans use the term “beta” or “katar.” The riverine and marine fishers in Chittagong, Bangladesh, prefer “beta,” while the Noakhali-based “Baangal”-fishers refer to it as “katar.” Similarly, fishers of Indian origin, especially the riverine and marine fishers of South-Western Sundarbans also use the term “katar.” Many present-day riverine and marine fishers are descendants of the original inhabitants of what is now Bangladesh, migrating from East Pakistan during the early hours of the Partition of India and in subsequent periods. The selection of the net setting ground by fishers is vital for optimizing catch yields. In practice, a beta comprises multiple “phaars”, each of which plays a significant role in fishing. Fishers can deploy one net per “phaar”, making the location of each “phaar” crucial. A “phaar” is established by planting two khuntis at an appropriate distance, which varies based on the length of the net’s mouth (the opening end) and the overall length of the net, as well as the water depth. This arrangement ensures sufficient space for the net to rotate freely in accordance with the current’s direction. Special care is given to the positioning of each “phaar”; during the entire fishing season, no other nets are permitted to be set in front of or behind any “phaar” within a considerable distance (Raychaudhuri, Bikash, The Moon and The Net, 2003, pp. 100-101). There are ongoing tensions among fishers over beta (as well as phaar). In some cases, a single fisher party may own multiple nets, leading to a tenancy of many “phaars” and one whole beta. These tensions arise from the superior quality of beta and “phaar”, which creates intra and inter-conflict among the fishers for limited space and good catch opportunities.
Two villages in Sitakundu Thana, located in the Chittagong District of Bangladesh witnessed inter-conflict between two fishers’ villages. The situation was complicated by the presence of two betas in the river, causing disputes, shared the migrated “Baangal”-fishers. Conflicts have emerged regarding rights to upper versus lower currents. At times, this rivalry has escalated to violence, with the stronger fisher-villagers prevailing in these confrontations. Tensions emerge from the conflict between maritime activities and fisheries, particularly as ships navigate over the “beta”, the designated net-fishing area. These activities can adversely affect fishing equipment, including nets, and may jeopardize the livelihoods of fishermen, especially during night hours when vessels traverse established fishing routes. This situation bears a similarity to the historical conflict involving Rani Rashmoni and the colonial government in the 1840s, during which fishing communities faced significant challenges due to the presence of ships. Ultimately, this issue was addressed in court, resulting in the colonial authorities retracting their orders, thereby providing relief to the affected fishermen.
Beta
Phaar