Chandpur: The 22-day nationwide ban on catching, transporting, and selling Hilsa ends at midnight, allowing fishermen across the country to return to rivers and the sea as the government's conservation period for safe Hilsa breeding concludes. With the ban lifting, trawlers are expected to set sail early Sunday, marking the resumption of Hilsa fishing in the coastal waters and major rivers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the annual ban, which began on October 4 and concluded on October 25 at midnight, was enforced by the government to facilitate safe spawning of Hilsa during its peak breeding season, aiming to boost fish production in the country. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, alongside law enforcement agencies, conducted extensive drives across coastal districts to ensure adherence to the restriction.
Officials from the Department of Fisheries reported that the embargo successfully protected millions of mother Hilsa, aiding in the smooth growth of the country's most popular fish. A senior fisheries officer informed BSS that strict monitoring was maintained across all major Hilsa breeding zones, including Chandpur, Bhola, Barishal, Patuakhali, Barguna, and Laxmipur. The officer expressed optimism for a significant boost in Hilsa production in the upcoming season as a consequence of the ban.
During the restriction period, approximately 65,000 enforcement drives were conducted, and several hundred illegal fishing nets were seized and destroyed, officials stated. The government also provided food assistance to registered fishermen families impacted by the temporary suspension of fishing activities.
Hilsa, recognized as the national fish of Bangladesh, contributes nearly 12 percent to the country's total fish production and plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of millions of coastal fishermen.