50 maunds 'jatka' seized

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BARGUNA, Jan 2 (UNB): Coast Guard members seized 50 maunds of 'jatka' (hilsa fry) from five trawlers in the river Bishkhali in Patharghata Upazila Wednesday night.
Rafiqul Islam, Contingent Commander of Patharghata Coast Guard camp said, they conducted a drive in Sonatala and Nishanbari coastal areas and seized the 'jatka from the FB Kali, FB Belayet, FB Bhaibhai, FB Babuganj and FB Majibor trawlers at midnight.
However, none was arrested as the fishermen fled the scene sensing the presence of the coast guards.
The government imposed ban on catching hilsa fry less than nine inches in length to increase hilsa production. But the dishonest fishermen are catching the 'jatka' defying the ban.
Later, the seized 'jatka' was sold for Tk 239,000 at auction in presence of fisheries official Debobrata Kabiraz and Mahe Alam, officer-in-charge of Patharghata thana.