Ban on hilsa fishing from Oct 7

The government has decided to impose a 22-day ban on catching hilsa from next month, aiming to facilitate breeding and increase the production.

The ban will come into effect from October 7 and will remain in force until 28.

The ban will be imposed as per 'Protection and Conservation of Fish Rules, 1985' under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, 1950. Anyone disobeying the ban will face one to five years of rigorous jail term or fine Tk 5,000.

Catching hilsa fish, marketing and stocking are completely prohibited during the period.

The decision in this regard was taken during a national taskforce committee's meeting on the development of hilsa on Thursday.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim presided over the meeting held at Matshya Bhaban in the capital.

He said that the government would provide food assistance to the affected fishermen under its vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme during the ban.

During the ban, a section of people, who are not real fishermen, used to catch fish with the backing of some influential people, said the minister.

"We (the government) would not spare them if they try to catch hilsa during the ban period for the sake of safeguarding the country's hilsa resources," he said.

The minister said that necessary directives were given to district and upazila administration concerned to take measures for ensuring the closure of ice factories.

The local government bodies will also carry out drives against illegal nets (current), said the minister, adding that the local administration would take steps to stop dredging at districts and upazilas for the safe breeding of hilsa.

Bangladesh has been continuing the initiative to protect hilsa fries since the 2003-2004 fiscal year, leading to the gradual increase in the country's hilsa production.

Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Dr Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury, Director General of Department of Fisheries K Mahbubul Haque, DG of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Dr Yahya Mahmud and representatives from ministries of commerce, shipping, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Bangladesh Navy, river police, Rapid Action Battalion, fisheries sector scientists and fisheries sector businessmen were present, among others.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com