Hilsa fishing banned for 22 days from October 8

Hilsa fishing will be banned across the country for a total of 22 days from October 8 to 29 to ensure safe breeding of hilsa during the peak breeding season.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Task Force Committee on Hilsa Resource Development, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Tuesday, September 15, to determine the period for banning hilsa fishing during the peak breeding season and implement the mother hilsa conservation campaign. The meeting was chaired by Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid.

According to the meeting's decision, the transport, stocking, marketing, buying, selling and exchange of hilsa will be banned across the country during the fishing ban period. The mother hilsa conservation campaign will be implemented during the ban. During this time, the government will provide VGF food assistance to fishermen who refrain from hilsa fishing.

In his remarks as chair, Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said no concessions would be given in protecting mother hilsa to ensure sustainable production of the fish. He said surveillance and operations must be further strengthened in the main hilsa breeding areas, including Barishal, Chandpur and Bhola.

He said district administrations, naval police, Coast Guard and the fisheries department must work in coordination to strictly implement the decision to stop fishing during the breeding season. If necessary, additional vessels and logistical support will be provided at hotspots.

The minister said surveillance must also be increased at ice factories, wholesale markets and bazaars to stop the marketing of illegally caught fish. Strict operations must be conducted to remove illegal nets from hilsa breeding grounds, including Chandpur's Mohona. Under no circumstances should there be any opportunity to fish or market fish during the ban.

He said hilsa production will increase further next season if the coordinated efforts of all relevant agencies continue in conserving mother hilsa.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku said the reasons behind the declining hilsa production must be identified through research. Weaknesses or gaps in activities will be identified and necessary measures taken.

Emphasising the need to stop illegal nets, he said effective measures must be taken to stop the production and sale of banned nets. Alongside the government, fishermen's representatives must also make fishermen aware of not buying such nets.

He further said the government is providing incentives to fishermen to keep them away from fishing during the ban. Monitoring will be increased to ensure this assistance reaches genuine fishermen properly.

The state minister said it is a matter of concern that hilsa production has declined and fish has to be imported from abroad. Everyone must work together in a coordinated manner to identify why such a situation has arisen. A coordinated action plan will be taken in the future to protect hilsa as a national resource and GI product and to increase production.

Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Secretary Md Delwar Hossain, Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation Chairman Md Mir Hossain, Department of Fisheries Director General Dr Md Khaled Kanak and Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute Director General Dr Md Latiful Islam were present at the meeting.