22-day ban on hilsa fishing from Oct 7: Chanda

The government has imposed a 22-day ban on catching, selling, transportation and hoarding of hilsa from October 7 to October 28, BSS reported.

“We have imposed a 22-day ban, starting from October 7, on catching, selling and transporting hilsa fish in a 7,000-km breeding ground to ensure the safe spawning of this fish during its peak breeding period, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda told a press conference at his ministry here.

The decision was taken as part of “Hilsa Protection Campaign-2018” as the objective of the restriction is to save mother hilsa which lays eggs during the period.

Chanda said the authorities have announced six sanctuaries for hilsa fishes for jatka conservation to increase fish production in the country.

“One to two years jail or Taka 5000 fine will be awarded, if anyone violates the ban,” he added.

The minister said the government has implemented various coordinated programmes for increasing hilsa fish production. “In the fiscal year 2008-2009, hilsa production was 2.98 tonnes while it stood at 4.96 tonnes during the fiscal year 2016-2017,” he added.