Dhaka: The River Police completed a 22-day nationwide "Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025," which ran from October 4 to 25. The campaign aimed to enforce the government-imposed ban on catching, transporting, or selling Hilsa during its breeding season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the campaign was conducted under the direction of Additional IGP Kusum Dewan. Officers focused on raising public awareness, conducting river patrols, and executing operations throughout the country. The initiative was designed to boost Hilsa reproduction and ensure the sustainability of fisheries, as stated in a press release from the River Police.
The campaign resulted in the seizure of over 61 crore meters of illegal fishing nets, 62,644 kilograms of fish, and 1,221 boats. Additionally, 3,173 offenders were arrested. Mobile courts were active during the campaign, filing 534 cases and issuing fines and jail terms as a part of the enforcement measures. The seized fish were distributed to the poor, and the illegal nets were destroyed, contributing to the campaign's broader conservation goals.