Dumuria:A total of 646 fishermen in Dumuria upazila of Khulna have received government food assistance for the first time during the fishing ban imposed to protect mother hilsa, providing much-needed relief to their families.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the fishermen were included in the government's Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program following an initiative by the upazila fisheries office. This effort involved bringing fishing boats under official registration and securing fishing permits.
The assistance is a significant relief for the fishing families, who often face severe financial hardship during fishing bans as they lose their primary source of income. Dumuria has 5,498 registered fishermen, and previously, 665 fishermen received rice under the VGF program during a different seasonal fishing ban.
Prior to this initiative, the fishermen had not been included in similar assistance programs during bans to protect mother hilsa and juvenile hilsa (locally known as jatka), as well as fishing restrictions in the Sundarbans. Many fishermen had to seek alternative work, such as rickshaw pulling or day labor, to support their households.
The key factor in securing government assistance was the registration and permitting of fishing boats. In 2025, permits were arranged for 64 boats, each carrying eight to 14 fishermen to fishing areas in sea estuaries and near the Sundarbans. This process enabled the fishermen to be officially documented and eligible for government support.
The fishermen expressed gratitude for the rice assistance, which will help with household expenses, including food and children's education, during the ban. They thanked local lawmaker Ali Asgar Lobi, the government, and the upazila fisheries office for their support and expressed hope that assistance would continue in the future.
Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Sohel Md Zillur Rahman Regan emphasized the importance of protecting fishermen's livelihoods. He noted that the inclusion of 646 fishermen in the VGF program was made possible by arranging fishing permits and registration. Efforts will continue to support fish farmers and raise awareness about fisheries conservation.