Chandpur: Naval police have arrested 16 fishermen and seized current nets along with jatka (hilsa fry) during separate drives in the Padma and Meghna rivers in the last 24 hours. During the operations, a total of 8,15,700 meters of banned current nets, six engine-run boats, and 130 kg of jatka were seized, confirmed KMS Iqbal, Officer-in-Charge of Chandpur Naval Police Station.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the fishermen were apprehended for illegal fishing activities in the Chandpur estuary, Lagimara-Char-Rajrajeshwar, Amirabad Lal Boya, and Bahria areas of the rivers. The authorities took swift action by filing six cases against 12 of the fishermen with Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station, while the remaining four, being minors, were released on bail under the guardianship of their parents.
The seized current nets were destroyed by burning, and the jatka were distributed to the poor and orphanages, ensuring that the confiscated items served a beneficial purpose. KMS Iqbal stated that the special operations will be intensified to protect the Hilsa fish population. The government has enforced a ban on catching, selling, storing, and transporting hilsa from March 1 to April 30 to enhance production and safeguard hilsa fry.