Bangladesh has enforced a two-month fishing ban in parts of the Padma and Meghna rivers to protect juvenile hilsa, with authorities promising strict enforcement and food support for affected fishermen.
Bangladesh has enforced a two-month ban on fishing in parts of the Padma and Meghna rivers from Saturday midnight to protect juvenile hilsa, locally known as jatka, in a renewed push to boost the country’s prized fish production.
The restriction will run from March 1 to April 30, prohibiting the catching, sale, transport and stocking of all types of fish including hilsa in designated river stretches. Authorities have warned that strict action will be taken against anyone violating the ban.
District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam said a nearly 70-kilometre sanctuary has been declared, stretching from Satnal in Matlab Uttar upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar via Chandpur Sadar. Around 47,000 registered fishermen are expected to refrain from fishing during the two-month period.
To cushion the impact on affected families, 39,400 fishermen will receive government support under the Vulnerable Group Feeding programme. Each beneficiary will be given 40 kilograms of rice per month for four months from February to May, totalling 160 kilograms per person.
Several fishermen living along the Meghna riverbanks, however, said the assistance is not enough to sustain their households and urged the government to provide additional cash support during the ban.
Chandpur Sadar Senior Fisheries Officer Mirza Omar Faruk said district and upazila task forces will oversee enforcement and conduct mobile court drives against illegal jatka fishing.
Naval Police Superintendent Syed Mosfiqul Rahman said river patrols will remain active throughout the ban, adding that offenders will face legal action under fisheries laws.
District Administrator Md Nazmul Islam Sarker called on all stakeholders to cooperate in conserving jatka, while hilsa researcher Dr Anisur Rahman stressed that protecting juvenile hilsa now would ensure higher production of the national fish in the future.
