The government has put a ban on catching, transportation and hoarding of hilsa fish from October 13 to 23 across the country to boost its production through protection of mother fish.
The government has also cancelled the holidays of the officials of the fisheries department in 25 coastal districts during this period to make the countrywide programme a success.
Dr AKM Aminul Haque, Deputy Director Fisheries Department of Barisal Division told UNB that the main objective of the restriction is to save mother hilsa which usually lays eggs during the period.
Fisheries department officials, police, coastguard and local administration would watch, patrol and carry out drives, especially along the riverside and coastal areas on October 13-23, in 25 coastal districts during the hilsa breeding period, he added.
District fisheries official Narayan Chandra Mandal told UNB that hilsa production was 3.46 lakh tonnes in the fiscal year 2011-12. Four lakh tonnes hilsa is expected to be produced this year, he said.