Fishing ban in Bay of Bengal lifts at midnight after 58 days

The government’s 58-day fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal will conclude at midnight tonight, allowing marine fishing to resume after nearly two months.

The Department of Fisheries expects a rise in fish supply and a possible drop in prices, including hilsa, as fishing boats return to the sea.

The ban, which began on April 15, was imposed to protect fish breeding and help replenish fish stocks in Bangladesh’s maritime waters. Officials say this measure is part of a larger effort to preserve marine biodiversity and ensure the long-term sustainability of the fisheries sector.

Since 2015, a 65-day fishing ban was enforced annually from May 20 to July 23. This year, however, the government reduced the ban to 58 days—from April 15 to June 11—based on input from researchers, fishing communities, and industry representatives. The revised schedule also aligns with India’s fishing ban timeline.