Chandpur:The usually bustling Borostation fishery ghat in Chandpur fell silent as a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing took effect to protect the fish during their breeding season. The ban, which began on Thursday, covers a 70-kilometer sanctuary in the Padma-Meghna rivers.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the first day of the ban saw the Meghna River and the Borostation fish landing center devoid of fishing boats. Efforts to raise awareness about the ban were evident as members of the district fishermen's organization used loudspeakers while traveling on a trawler.
The district administration's taskforce has temporarily closed all ice factories for the duration of the ban. However, the restrictions do not apply to farmed fish from local ponds and other water bodies.
Hilsa traders, including Nurul Islam, Jalal Haji, and Ali Akbar, noted the lack of activity at the landing center, which usually operates until late evening. Alhaj Shabe Barat Sarker, general secretary of the Fish Traders Association, mentioned that around 150 day laborers typically work at the center, but many were seen idling on Thursday.
Senior fisheries officer Mirza Omar Faruk stated that operations involving the district taskforce, Bangladesh Navy, and Coast Guard are ongoing across various upazilas. The ban, effective from October 8 to October 29, prohibits catching, buying, selling, storing, and transporting fish in the affected river areas. District officials warned that violators would face legal consequences, including imprisonment and fines.