Dhaka:The River Police have taken significant action in a conservation effort aimed at protecting the spawning mother hilsa by seizing and destroying 19,260,695 metres of illegal fishing nets across the country's river basins over the last 24 hours. This operation also led to the confiscation of 67 watercraft and the arrest of 169 individuals involved in illegal fishing activities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the authorities distributed 1,099 kilograms of confiscated hilsa fish among local orphanages and disadvantaged populations. In addition, 67 legal cases have been filed against those violating government fishing restrictions.
In a related operation in Jhalakathi, the Fisheries Department seized 75,000 metres of illegal nets in the Bishkhali River. Five individuals were detained during this activity, and following a mobile court session led by Rajapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rifat Ara Mouri, four of them received 15-day imprisonment sentences, while the fifth was sentenced to one month without labor. The hilsa seized in this operation was distributed to a local orphanage.
Furthermore, in another operation conducted in Hatiya, 5,000 kilograms of hilsa were seized and subsequently distributed among orphanages and disadvantaged groups. This operation was carried out in a branch canal of the Meghna River, approximately 300 metres west of Nalchira Ghat, by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the Nalchira River Police Outpost.