58-day ban on fishing imposed in Bay of Bengal

The government has imposed a 58-day ban on all types of fishing in the Bay of Bengal and surrounding sea areas. The ban will remain in effect from April 15 to June 11.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced the decision at a press conference organised on the occasion of 'Jatka Conservation Week-2026' at the Secretariat on Monday, April 6.

The minister said 'Jatka Conservation Week-2026' will be observed from April 7 to April 13 under the theme 'Stop catching jatka, the sea and rivers will fill with hilsa'. The programme will be held in 20 hilsa-rich districts of the country.

He called upon everyone to refrain from catching, buying, selling and storing jatka (juvenile hilsa) and emphasised raising public awareness on this issue. Strict surveillance will be maintained from the sea to the markets during the conservation week. Catching, transporting and selling jatka will remain completely prohibited during the breeding season.

The minister also said no decision has been made yet regarding the export of hilsa to India in the month of Baishakh. A final decision on this matter will be taken by the Prime Minister's Office.