As the 22-day ban on hilsha fishing is set to commence from Thursday (October 12), the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has issued a stern warning against violators, emphasizing the importance of conserving the national fish during its high breeding season.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister S M Rezaul Karim stated during a press conference at his secretariat office that mobile courts will be deployed to take legal action against those who defy the ban. Local law enforcement agencies and administrations have been instructed to ensure that fishing boats and trawlers do not venture into rivers and seas during this critical period.
The government has enforced a ban on hilsha fishing from October 12 to November 2, covering a vast area of 7,000 square kilometers across 27 districts. The objective is to protect the mother fishes during their high breeding season. The ban extends beyond fishing to encompass all activities related to hilsha, including procurement, marketing, buying, selling, transportation, and hoarding, nationwide.
Throughout the 22-day ban, a comprehensive joint operation will be conducted at fisheries docks, warehouses, local markets, and retail outlets across the country. Various agencies, including the Fisheries Department, navy, air force, coast guard, police, river police, RAB, BGB, and district and upazila administrations, will collaborate to enforce the ban.
Hilsha holds a significant place in the country’s fish production, contributing 11% of the total output as a single species. Approximately 5 lakh people are directly engaged in hilsha fishing, with an additional 20-25 lakh involved indirectly.
Minister S M Rezaul Karim revealed that the government has dispatched 872.18 tonnes of food assistance to 5,54,887 fishing families in 155 upazilas across 37 districts.
Key figures present at the press conference included Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Dr. Nahid Rashid, Additional Secretary Md. Abdul Quayum, and Director General of the Department of Fisheries K. Mahbubul Haque.
