Dhaka: Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid announced today that the government is set to increase financial support for fishermen during the fishing ban periods throughout the year. This initiative aims to enhance hilsa production by protecting the young hilsa fish, known as jatka.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the fisheries and livestock ministry is planning to launch several projects to generate income for poor fishermen, helping them reduce their reliance on fishing during the prohibited periods. Minister Rashid made these remarks at the Jatiya Sangsad while responding to an urgent notice submitted by ruling party lawmaker M Sahadat Hossen (Lakshmipur-1) under section 71 of the rules of procedure. The session was presided over by Speaker Hafizuddin Ahmed.
Minister Rashid emphasized that the main objective of the government is to halt jatka fishing, as impoverished fishermen are often forced to catch these young fish during the ban due to financial hardship. He highlighted the ‘dadan’ system, where fishermen, lacking necessary fishing gear and equipment, receive advance cash or gear from money lenders or fish traders, known as dadondars, in exchange for selling their entire catch at below-market prices.
To alleviate this issue, the government plans to introduce various income-generating projects, including livestock rearing, enabling fishermen to earn a living and lessen their dependence on dadondars during the nationwide hilsa ban from November 1 to June 30, which coincides with the peak breeding season. During this period, catching, transporting, marketing, buying, selling, and storing hilsa fish smaller than 25 centimeters (jatka) is strictly prohibited.
The ministry of fisheries and livestock is actively conducting regular drives and mobile court operations in districts such as Chandpur and Barishal, as well as in rivers where hilsa grow, including the Padma and Meghna. The ministry is also maintaining surveillance at various fisheries arats, fish-ghats, and fishing landing stations nationwide to prevent the illegal sale and transport of juvenile hilsas.
As part of the jatka protection initiative in Chandpur and Barishal, approximately 2,033 operations were carried out through 163 mobile courts, resulting in the seizure and destruction of numerous illegal fishing nets, totaling 1.07 lakh meters. These efforts led to fines amounting to Taka 19.50 lakh and the arrest and imprisonment of 213 fishermen on different terms.
In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the government distributed 58,720 tonnes of food assistance, providing 40 kg per fisherman family, to 1.67 lakh fishermen under the vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme. Ruling party lawmaker M Sahadat Hossen urged the government to intensify surveillance on hilsa catching as reports indicate an increase in jatka fishing in Chandpur, Lakshmipur, and Barishal regions, which is adversely impacting hilsa production in the country.