Dhaka, July 22 (UNB) - Some 10,100 fishermen met the tragic end of their lives while fishing at Bay following fishing trawler accidents (capsized) in the last 20 years from 1991 to 2011, said a report published at a seminar on Friday.

Though bodies of 3500 were found, remaining 6600 bodies remained missing, the report mentioned.

This was revealed at a seminar titled “Fishing Trawlers Mishaps, Deaths and Damage in Bay and Coastal Areas in 20 Years’ held at Mukti Bhaban here on Friday organized by Green Club of Bangladesh (GCB).

During the same period, over 1500 trawlers of the total 2400 capsized remained unfound causing a financial loss of over Tk 500 crore, the report said quoting reports published in newspapers, local administration, public representatives and affected families.

GCB general secretary journalist Ashish Kumar Dey presented the keynote paper in the seminar while former director general of Water Resources Planning Organization Engr M Inamul Haque attended it as key discussant.
GCB president Nurur Rahman Selim presided over the seminar conducted by regional coordinator of The Hunger Project Murshikul Islam Shimul.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists secretary general Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, the daily Sangbad News Editor Kazi Rafique, Inland Water Transport Authority senior vice chairman Alhaj Bodiuzzaman Badal and engineer M Inamul Haque took part in the seminar.

Speakers at the seminar also put forward 10 recommendations to prevent the accidents in the Bay including formation of district-based taskforce by Coastguards, district administration concerned, police administration and public representatives to ensure monitoring in banning illegal vessels.

It was also informed that over 50 thousand illegal fishing trawlers are there in the Bay.