The government has imposed a 22-day nationwide ban on hilsa fishing from October 8 to October 29 to ensure the safe breeding of mother hilsa. During this period, the transportation, storage, marketing, sale, purchase and exchange of hilsa will also remain prohibited.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Taskforce Committee on Hilsa Resource Development held on Tuesday (September 15) at the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid presided over the meeting.

The meeting decided that nationwide drives will be conducted during the ban to protect mother hilsa. Fishermen who refrain from fishing during the restriction period will receive food assistance from the government under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said no compromise would be made in protecting mother hilsa to ensure sustainable hilsa production. He directed authorities to further strengthen surveillance and enforcement drives in major hilsa breeding grounds, including Barishal, Chandpur and Bhola.

He said the district administrations, river police, Coast Guard and fisheries authorities must work in coordination to strictly enforce the ban. If necessary, additional boats and logistical support will be provided in key areas.

The minister also instructed authorities to increase monitoring at ice factories, fish depots and markets to prevent illegally caught hilsa from being marketed.

He further called for strict drives to remove illegal fishing nets from hilsa breeding grounds, including the Chandpur confluence area.