Hilsa catching banned for 22 days from Oct 4

To protect mother hilsa during the peak breeding season, the government has imposed a 22-day ban on catching, transporting, storing, selling and exchanging hilsa from midnight on 4 October to 25 October.

The decision was confirmed on Thursday (2 October) by Syed Moshfiqur Rahman, Superintendent of Chandpur River Police.

Chandpur district administration has completed preparations for drives in the Padma, Meghna and other rivers to safeguard hilsa. Fishermen have already started bringing their boats, nets and equipment ashore.

To enforce the ban, awareness campaigns including rallies and leaflet distribution were held on Wednesday in Anandabazar, Lalpur Fish Market, Amirabad Ghat, Char Umed and Rajrajeshwar. The administration, police, coastguard and fisheries department jointly organised the programmes.

Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin said, “Chandpur is known nationwide for hilsa. If mother hilsa cannot spawn safely, production will be severely affected. This ban is not for punishment but to secure the future of the fishermen. If we protect mother hilsa today, we will have more in the future.”

He added that violators would face penalties under the Fisheries Conservation Act, but the government has introduced food aid and alternative livelihood programmes. This year, 45,615 fishing families in Chandpur will receive 30 kg of rice each, 5 kg more than last year.

Fishing will be strictly prohibited in a 70-kilometre stretch from Shatnol in Matlab Uttar to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar during the ban. Joint patrols by coastguard, river police, fisheries officials and upazila administration will continue daily.

Speakers at the rally included Chandpur River Police Superintendent Syed Moshfiqur Rahman, District Fisheries Officer Shribas Chandra Chand, Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Bappi Dutta Rony, Assistant Superintendent of River Police Imtiaz Ahmed, and Coastguard Chief Petty Officer Abdus Samad.

Superintendent Rahman urged, “Be patient for 22 days. Actively help protect mother hilsa and take part in the government’s support programmes. Anyone violating the ban will face strict legal action.”