Fishermen in Barisal were gearing up to set out to sea as the 22-day ban on fishing for the ilish breeding season ended at Friday midnight.
On visits to different fishing colonies of the region, including the Shibpur area on the bank of the Megna River in Bhola Sadar, fishermen were seen fixing nets and repairing boats. Several of them claimed they were yet to receive government assistance to be provided during the fishing restrictions.
According to the Barisal Divisional Fisheries Office, 13,872 tons of rice are being given to 554,887 fishermen in 155 upazilas of 37 districts under six ilish sanctuaries. Each family will receive 25kg of rice.
Details on the implementation of the ban and distribution of the aid will be received in the next few days, fisheries office sources said.
Yusuf Majhi, a fisherman in Bhola Sadar, said there are at least 1,000 fishing families in the Shibpur area. Around half of them will go out to sea as soon as possible.
Anisur Rahman Talukder, deputy director of the Barishal Divisional Fisheries Office, said the ban had been successful as it included stricter restrictions than before. Furthermore, Cyclone Sitrang prevented illegal fishing, while the additional rainfall is ideal for breeding ilish.
“As a result, more ilish eggs have been laid than the target,” he said.
He said last year's egg-laying rate was 51.8%, which may increase to 53-54% this time. At the latter rate, about 600,000 tons of ilish is expected to be produced.
Barisal District Fisheries Officer (ilish) Bimal Chandra Das also said it appeared the ban had successfully protected the Hilsa fish during the breeding season.
Anisur Rahman, chief scientific officer of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Chandpur, said: “This time, there was a new moon during Cyclone Sitrang. There was not much disturbance in the river at that time. Now saving the eggs that have been laid is the main challenge.”
Regarding aid distribution, Fisheries office sources said they are working to ensure 100% coverage in Ilish a fishing areas, but it would take time to provide aid to all the fishermen.
Barisal Divisional Small Fishermen Association President Yisrail Pandit said: “Not all fishermen are covered by food aid during the fishing-restriction period. We demand to bring all fishermen under this. Many fishermen under the registration have demanded at least 100 kg of rice to be allotted to them.”