Bhola: Fishermen in the district are set to resume Hilsa fishing as the two-month ban on catching, transporting, and selling all species of fish is ending tomorrow. They are now working day and night to repair their nets and boats.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government imposed a 58-day restriction with an aim to boost Hilsa production, leaving about 300,000 fishermen in the coastal area, including 170,243 registered individuals, temporarily jobless. During this period, a 190-kilometer stretch of the river in Bhola was declared a sanctuary for conserving Jatka (juvenile Hilsa).
“This year’s campaign has been successful,” said District Fisheries Officer Biswajit Kumar Deb, noting that the ban is expected to lead to an increase in fish production in the river. During the ban, the government allocated 160 kg of rice for each of 89,700 extremely poor fishermen. Biswajit Kumar Deb mentioned that they have so far received only the March supply, and 89,700 fishermen have been given 80 kg of rice each. “As soon as April’s supply arrives, we will distribute it among fishermen,” he added.
The Fisheries Department has set a target of producing 185,000 metric tons of Hilsa this year.