Dhaka: Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced today that the government is rolling out various programmes to protect hilsa resources and ensure their sustainable production. “In continuation of this, ‘Jatka Conservation Week 2026’ will be observed nationwide from April 7 to 13,” the minister disclosed at a press conference held at the ministry’s conference room.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, and Director General of the Department of Fisheries Zia Haider Chowdhury, along with other senior officials, were present at the event. Amin Ur Rashid emphasized the government’s commitment to increasing sustainable hilsa production and making its price affordable through coordinated efforts with the Department of Fisheries. Effective measures, such as conservation of Jatka and brood hilsa, fishing bans during specific times, sanctuary management, and the Fisheries Conservation Act, are being implemented to achieve this goal.
The minister reported that successful implementation of these activities has boosted hilsa production, reaching 5 lakh metric tonnes in the fiscal year 2024-25. However, challenges such as riverbed filling, climate change, river pollution, and continuous pressure on fisheries threaten this continuity. The government, he said, is determined to tackle these challenges.
Hilsa, the national fish, holds significant economic value, contributing about 9.79 percent to total fish production and approximately one percent to the GDP. More than 80 percent of the world’s hilsa production comes from Bangladeshi waters, earning the country the top rank among 11 hilsa-producing nations. Bangladesh’s hilsa is also recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product.
Approximately six lakh people in Bangladesh are directly engaged in hilsa production, while 20 to 25 lakh are involved indirectly in activities such as transportation, sale, net and boat making, ice production, fish processing, and export. To make hilsa accessible nationwide, the government is focused on developing hilsa resources.
‘Jatka Conservation Week 2026’ will be celebrated in 20 hilsa-rich districts. In addition to a three-day central program, various awareness initiatives will take place at district and upazila levels. The inaugural event is scheduled for April 7 in Chandpur Sadar, with the theme “If we stop Jatka fishing, the sea and rivers will be filled with hilsa.”
The government has introduced several measures for sustainable hilsa development, including a ban on all types of fishing in the Bay of Bengal from April 15 to June 11 and a 22-day hilsa fishing ban during the breeding season. Jatka fishing, transportation, and sale are prohibited from November 1 to June 30.
Amin Ur Rashid addressed questions regarding the government’s primary goal of increasing hilsa production, asserting that an increase in production would lead to higher supply and naturally reduce market prices. Efforts are underway to enhance the entire hilsa production-to-consumer process.
State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku noted that food assistance has been provided to 40,000 fishermen families over the past two months, including essential items with a total value of approximately Taka 6,000. He assured continued support from local parliamentarians and emphasized that any irregularities will be met with appropriate action.