Bagerhat: Fishermen across the country, including those in the Bay of Bengal and inland rivers, are set to resume catching Hilsa from midnight tonight, as a 22-day government-imposed ban comes to an end. The ban was put in place to protect the breeding population of this vital fish.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, preparations are in full swing in Bagerhat and other coastal areas. Over fifty fishing trawlers were observed this afternoon at the Bhairab Daratana and Baleshwar rivers, as well as at the Sharankhola Fisheries Landing Center, being loaded with necessary supplies such as nets, ice, food, market goods, and fuel.
Sharankhola Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Anjan Sarkar reported that the upazila has 6,814 registered fishermen, with 4,459 eligible for government assistance for deep-sea Hilsa fishing. During the ban, each beneficiary was allocated 25 kg of rice, although distribution has been delayed in some areas due to local issues. Sarkar assured that the distribution would be completed within the next one or two days.
Additionally, Sarkar mentioned that unregistered fishermen would have an opportunity to apply for registration in December and January, with announcements to be made through public miking. The Fisheries Ministry and the government had imposed the ban from October 4 to October 25, restricting the harvesting, transportation, storage, marketing, and sale of Hilsa during its main breeding season.
Mongla Coast Guard West Zone sources have confirmed that personnel from the Dubla, Kachikhali, and Kokilmuni Coast Guard camps will be on hand to ensure the security of fishermen during the Hilsa harvesting period, while also continuing their regular operations to prevent banditry.