Fishermen and their families are celebrating as ilish fishing is set to resume at midnight on Sunday, marking the end of a 22-day ban on catching, selling, and transporting the fish.
During visits to various area in Sadar upazila, including Raghunathpur, Harina, Ananda Bazar, Ranagoal, and Zafrabad, many fishermen were found busy repairing their nets and boats, reports UNB.
Several fishermen, including Shahjahan and Anwar Hossain, voiced frustrations over illegal fishing in Munshiganj and Shariatpur districts, saying that some fishermen had disregarded the government-imposed ban.
Due to illegal fishing, fishermen struggle to find ilish even after the end of the ban period, they said.
They also expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s food assistance provided during the ban, saying that rising costs of essentials have made it difficult to support their families, especially bearing their children's educational costs.
According to the district fisheries department, the ban was enforced to protect mother ilish during its peak breeding season, thereby boosting ilish output.
The restriction on catching, selling, storing, and transporting ilish began on October 13 and will be lifted on Sunday at midnight.
Approximately 50,000 fishermen, including 44,035 registered fishermen from Shatnol in Matlab North upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar upazila of Chandpur district, are gearing up to resume fishing.