Dhaka:A significant operation during a 22-day fishing ban has led to the recovery of 51,894 tonnes of illegal hilsa and 580.439 lakh meters of illegal fishing nets across seven divisions. The ban, which started on October 8 and ended at midnight on Thursday, was aimed at protecting hilsa during its peak breeding season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government conducted 1,331 mobile courts and 6,909 drives throughout the country during the 21-day period ending on October 28. These operations resulted in 1,621 cases being filed, 1,337 fishermen being jailed, and fines totaling Taka 54.924 lakh for violations of the ban.
Fishermen nationwide are now preparing to resume their activities as the ban has been lifted. Many have been seen repairing boats, mending nets, and arranging supplies in anticipation of returning to the sea. The ban was enforced to ensure the sustainable production of hilsa, the national fish of Bangladesh, and prohibited the catching, transporting, storing, and selling of the fish.
State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku highlighted the need for research to understand the decline in hilsa production. He also emphasized controlling the production and sale of illegal fishing nets. During the ban, the government provided rice under the vulnerable group feeding (VGF) program, distributing over 16,000 tonnes to fishing families in 38 districts.
The end of the ban has brought relief to fishing communities, with many hopeful for a good hilsa catch. An eight-month ban on catching juvenile hilsa will commence on November 1, restricting the capture, sale, and transport of these young fish until June 30 next year.