A ban on netting, selling and transportation of hilsa -- for 22 days -- will start from midnight.

The ban will remain effective till October 28, as per decision of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

According to the authorities, the ban has been imposed to ensure the safe spawning of the popular fish during its peak breeding period.

They hoped that fishermen would get a good catch at the end of this season.

The law enforcers will conduct drives to prevent fishermen from fishing in the river in violation of the ban.

Meanwhile, more than two lakh fishermen of the coast will become jobless during this period of time and face extreme poverty and uncertainty. 

However, 20kg of rice will be given to registered fishermen during the notification period. Fishermen, however, demand that the rice allocated by the government should arrive on time.

Bhola Senior Fisheries Officer Jamal Hossain said: "This is the main breeding season of Hilsa, our campaign will continue to protect mother Hilsa. However, at this time 20 kg of rice will be given to registered fishermen."

Siraj, Mofizal and Solaiman, fishermen of Tulatali Ghat, said as hilsa fishing was halted from March to April this year, they did not get sufficient hilsa even in the full season. Many fishermen are in debt and will face a crisis because of the ban at the moment when the hilsa has started to be caught in their nets, they added.

Fish traders Azad said all the fishermen and traders have incurred a loss this season.

BDST: 1244 HRS, OCT 06, 2022
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