With the start of the ‘Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025’, fishing in Bangladesh’s marine and coastal waters has been completely banned from October 4 to October 25 — a 22-day prohibition aimed at protecting hilsa during its breeding season.
As the sea goes quiet, the country’s coastal villages have taken on a different rhythm — the hustle and bustle has shifted from the waves to the shore.
Thousands of fishing trawlers have already returned to the docks. In Cox’s Bazar, rows of boats, tied side by side, line the ghats, resembling a silent fleet waiting for the sea’s call once again.
During the ban, fishermen are keeping themselves busy repairing trawlers, repainting boats, and mending nets. Many vessels, worn down from months at sea, are getting fresh paint and new planks. Old and damaged nets are being carefully stitched so that everything is ready once the restriction is lifted.
At the Nuniachhara ghat in Cox’s Bazar, more than fifty trawlers More than fifty trathe “Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025,”wlers anchor in neat rows at the Nuniachhara ghat in Cox’s Bazar.”, can be seen anchored On board, fishermen work with hammers and brushes — replacing wooden boards, fixing engines, and giving their boats a bright new look.
“We can’t go fishing now, so we’re repairing the boats,” said local fisherman Abdur Rahim. “If we don’t fix them during this time, it causes trouble later at sea.”
Another fisherman, Mohammad Alam, busy mending his net, added, “This is the time to prepare. If the nets aren’t fixed now, we’ll lose valuable fishing days later.”
To ensure full enforcement of the ban, the Bangladesh Navy has deployed five warships along the Cox’s Bazar coast, supported by the Coast Guard, Naval Police, and local administration.
Officials from the Department of Fisheries said the ban is crucial for allowing mother hilsa to breed safely, ensuring a stronger population in the coming season.
Although the government has announced food aid for affected fishermen, many complain that assistance does not reach everyone. Still, the spirit of hope remains strong.
As the sun sets over the quiet shores, fishermen continue their work — mending boats, fixing nets, and waiting eagerly for the day when the sea will once again welcome them back.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Hussain Shetu
