Hilsa fishing banned in Meghna River for 2 months

The government has imposed a two-month ban on catching of all kinds of fishing in the Meghna River in Barishal, Chandpur, Lakshmipur, Bhola, Patuakhli and Shariatpur districts from March 1 to April 30 to conserve mother Hilsa and Jatka during its high breeding season.

The ban will be applicable to the 190 kilometers breeding ground of Hilsa in the Meghna River, starting from Char Alexander in Ramgati upazila to Shatnal area in Chandpur.

According to District Fisheries Department, Hilsa production has increased due to proper government actions to preserve mother Hilsa, its breeding ground and the fries.

In continuance with that, the ban was imposed to maintain the rising productivity rate.

During the ban period, preserving, collecting, transporting, marketing and storing Hilsa during the ban period is illegal and a punishable offense.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Anwar Hossain Akand said that all measures have been taken by the administration to stop all types of fishing in the Meghna River in the district for the next two months.

Zero tolerance policy will be adopted to prevent the Hilsa fry this year he said, adding that regular drives will be conducted by District Fisheries Department, Upazila Administration, District Administration, Police and Coast Guards in different areas.