Dhaka: The Bangladesh Navy has commenced the Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign-2025, a 22-day initiative aimed at preserving the hilsa population by enforcing strict prohibitions on the harvesting, transportation, storage, purchase, sale, and exchange of the fish. The campaign, which began today, also bans the harvesting of all fish species by any fishing vessels in marine areas.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government has deployed the Bangladesh Navy across the sea, rivers, and coastal areas to implement these directives. The Navy’s involvement, facilitated through ‘In Aid to Civil Power,’ includes seventeen warships operating across nine districts to ensure compliance with the ban. Specific deployments include BNS Dhansiri/Shaheed Farid and BNDB Gangchil in Chandpur, BNS Atandra and others in Cox’s Bazar, and various other naval vessels in regions such as Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna, Barisal, and Patuakhali.
The initiative includes round-the-clock surveillance by the Navy’s warships and modern maritime patrol aircraft to prevent illegal fishing activities, including the intrusion of both domestic and foreign fishermen in the deep sea. The Navy’s fleet, along with crafts and boats, is strategically deployed in the main breeding areas of hilsa, working in collaboration with local authorities, the armed forces, coast guard, naval police, and fisheries authorities.
Throughout the campaign, the Navy will enforce strict legal measures against those engaged in illegal hilsa harvesting and will work to enhance public awareness about the importance of preserving hilsa breeding grounds. The ISPR release emphasized the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding these areas to promote the free reproduction of hilsa and ensure their conservation as a vital national economic asset.
The Bangladesh Navy’s efforts are aimed at increasing the abundance of hilsa, the national fish, and enriching the country’s fishery resources by providing a safe breeding environment within maritime borders and inland waters.