The government will enforce a total ban on netting fish in open water sources of the hilsa regions for 22 days from Friday to boost Hilsa resources in the country.
Officials say the ban usually starts during the full moon in the Bangla month of Ashwin (October) every year to ensure safe spawning and a proper breeding environment for laying eggs by the mother hilsa or ilish – the national fish.
This total fishing ban would be valid in 7,000 square kilometres of hilsa breeding grounds at six sanctuary points of seven coastal districts from Chandpur to different river estuaries to avoid complicacy.
Hilsa catching, selling and transportation will remain prohibited during the period, said Bimal Chandra Das, Barisal district fishery officer (hilsa).
Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim is set to hold a press briefing on the matter on Thursday.
Researchers say the arrival and movement of hilsa from the sea to the estuary of the major rivers is often disrupted due to natural and human obstruction and climate change effects.
Hilsa cannot come freely from the sea to the rivers due to many obstacles like emerging shoals, pollution and less water flow from the upper stream.
Anowar Hossain, a fisherman of Mehendigonj area of Barisal, said this year they did not get enough hilsa. Now the ban would hit their livelihood hard.
Nirob Hossain Tutul, joint secretary of Barisal Fish Merchants Association, said that the government should prevent the infiltration of foreign fishing boats into Bangladesh territory during the ban period.
“There are more than 300,000 hilsa fishermen in six districts of Barisal division, who will be given food aid during the ban,” said Anisur Rahman Talukder, deputy director of the Divisional Fisheries Office.
With the help of law enforcement agencies and local administration, mobile courts will conduct raids in the rivers, kitchen markets and fish-trading points in the region.
Israil Pandit, president of Bangladesh Khudra Matasyajibi Samity, said: “We are not protesting the government steps, but will request the authorities concerned to give adequate compensation and ensure rehabilitation for the fishermen affected by the ban.”
