The government has imposed a 22-day ban on catching all types of fish—including Hilsa—from October 4 to October 25 to protect brood Hilsa during its peak breeding season.
All inland and coastal waters of the country will strictly prohibit the catching, transporting, storing, marketing, and selling of Hilsa fish during this period.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, coordinated drives will be conducted by the Naval Police, Coast Guard, District Administration, and the Department of Fisheries to ensure the smooth implementation of the ban. Mobile courts will be established to address violators, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
The announcement came on Monday afternoon during a meeting of the District Taskforce Committee on Hilsa Resource Development, jointly organized by the Cox’s Bazar District Administration and the District Fisheries Department. The meeting was held at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, with Deputy Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan presiding.
“Hilsa is the national fish of Bangladesh. Protecting brood Hilsa during the breeding season is vital for boosting production,” said DC Mannan. “Everyone must refrain from catching Hilsa during the ban period to ensure sustainable reproduction and increased yield. Affected fishermen will also receive food assistance during the ban.”
He further instructed the Fisheries Department to ensure that only genuine fishermen receive the food support allocated under the government’s relief program.
District Fisheries Officer Md Nazmul Huda informed that during the fishing ban, 26,280 fishing families in Cox’s Bazar will receive 25 kilograms of rice each—amounting to a total of 657 metric tons of VGF rice—as food assistance.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Imran Hossain Sajib added that fishing of any kind will remain prohibited from midnight on October 3 until midnight on October 25. “Anyone violating this law will face the highest legal action,” he warned.
Among others, Fish Landing Center Manager Ashish Kumar Baidya, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Sujoy Pal, District Information Officer Md Abduch Chattar, as well as leaders of the Boat Owners Association and Fishermen’s Association, also spoke at the meeting.
Officials from various government departments, members of the Coast Guard, boat owners, fishermen’s representatives, and other stakeholders were present.
The meeting emphasized the need for strict enforcement of the ban and raising public awareness—especially during the four days before the Ashwini full moon and the three days following the new moon, when Hilsa breeding peaks. Issues concerning fishermen’s welfare and challenges were also discussed.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
