Hilsa fishing resumes after two-month ban

Govt eyes 0.6m tonnes output

FE Team | Published: May 01, 2024 00:07:42

Fishermen were scheduled to resume Hilsa fishing from Tuesday midnight as a two-month ban on catching, selling and transporting of the national fish came to an end.
In an effort to boost the production of Hilsa, the government imposed a two-month ban catching, selling, hoarding and transporting Hilsa from March 1 to April 30.
The ban covers Hilsa sanctuaries in six districts -- Barishal, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Bhola, Shariatpur and Patuakhali.
The sanctuaries are 100km in the Meghna River from Chandpur's Shatnol to Laxmipur's Char Alexander, 90km in Shahbazpur Channel in Bhola, 100km in Tentulia River in Bhola, 20km in Naria and Bhederganj upazilas in Chandpur district and 82km in Hizla, Mehendiganj and Barishal Sadar upazilas, Gazaria and the Meghna river.
The prohibition, enforced by the district and upazila task forces, aims to preserve the aquatic ecosystem and boost hilsa production.
UNB Chandpur correspondent reports: the fishermen were passing a busy time fixing their nets and trawlers.
Some fishermen including Bahria, Harina, Hanarchar, Raj Rajeshwar, Laxmipur, Malek Sheikh, Saiful Islam, Shafique, Sakib Majhi, Omar Ali, Rahim Gazi and Saddam Hossain said they all are now repairing their nets and boats.
Golam Hasan Mehedi, district fisheries officer, said "Every year, the government imposes a two-month ban from March 1 to April 30 to increase the production.
The government is expected to get of 0.6 million tonnes of Hilsa this year, he said.
A total of 300 fishermen were sentenced to several term of jail during this period for violating the order of the government while 5.0 million metre current nets, three tonnes of jatka fish and 60 fishing boats were seized during the ban, said Golam Mehedi.
Besides, Tk 1.0 million were realised in fine from the fishermen during this period.
The government also provided 40 kgs of rice to each fisherman under a food assistance programme during the ban period, he said.
Md Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Chandpur river police, said, the river police was also active to enforce the ban.