Dhaka:An eight-month nationwide ban on the catching, transporting, storing, marketing, and buying or selling of jatka (juvenile hilsa) at both wholesale and retail markets has officially come into effect today. The measure aims to increase the production of hilsa, the national fish of Bangladesh, ensure sustainable conservation of aquatic biodiversity, and address the national demand for protein.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a press release from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock stated that the legal restriction began across the country today, November 1, and will remain in force until June 30, 2027.
Fisheries scientists explain that the 22-day Ashwin campaign, which protects mother hilsa, allows for the complete spawning of hilsa in rivers. The eight-month jatka conservation law, effective from November 1, is expected to facilitate the growth and maturation of hilsa.