A two-month government ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting of hilsa will come into effect from March 1 with a view to boost its production.
The ban will be lifted on May 1, said a handout on Monday.
The ban covers hilsa sanctuaries in six districts-Barisal, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Bhola, Shariatpur and Patuakhali districts.
The sanctuaries are- 100km in the Meghna River from Chandpur's Shatnol to Lakshmipur's Char Alaxandar, 90km in Shahbazpur Channel in Bhola, 100km in Tentulia River in Bhola, 20km in Naria and Bhederganj upazila in Chandpur district and 82km in Hizla, Mehendiganj and Barisal Sadar upazila, Gazaria and Meghna river.
Hilsa has the highest contribution in the country's fish production as the single fish species.
Every year, the government imposes a two-month ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa to boost its production.
During this period, catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa will be considered as an offence and those who will violate the ban will get a minimum one year to two years jail or be fined Tk 5,000.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has already allocated 80 kgs of rice for the registered fishermen during this ban period.
