22-day ban on Hilsa fishing begins

A 22-day nationwide ban on catching Hilsa has begun to protect mother Hilsa during the peak breeding season.

The restriction will remain in force from October 8 to October 29.

During the ban, catching, transporting, storing, marketing, buying, selling and exchanging Hilsa will remain prohibited across the country.

The government has instructed the fisheries authorities and law enforcement agencies to strengthen monitoring and conduct drives in major Hilsa breeding grounds.

Registered fishermen who refrain from fishing during the period will receive food assistance under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme.

In Chandpur, the ban also covers a 70-kilometre stretch of the Padma-Meghna rivers, where authorities have launched special measures to ensure safe breeding of Hilsa.

Around 41,000 registered fishermen in the area have already received 25kg of rice each as government assistance.