An extensive surveillance operation in rivers and marine waters across 38 districts—particularly in the Barisal and Chittagong zones—is being conducted through drones alongside regular patrols and drives to protect mother ilish for their safe breeding and growth.
“We’ve been conducting extensive surveillance in rivers and marine waters through drones to protect mother ilish and ensure safe breeding during its peak breeding period,” Deputy Director of the Hilsha Management Section of the Department of Fisheries (DoF) Firoz Ahamed told BSS on Tuesday.
He said the surveillance through drones, along with regular drives and patrols that began on Friday midnight, will continue until midnight on October 25 as per the government order.
Earlier, the government, in a circular, imposed a 22-day fishing ban that began from Friday midnight and will remain effective until midnight on October 25 to protect ilish during its peak breeding season.
The circular states that to ensure the safe movement and spawning of mother ilish during its peak breeding season, all types of fishing vessels are prohibited from catching, transporting, storing, marketing, buying, selling, or exchanging ilish and all other species of fish in Bangladesh’s marine fishing zones from Saturday to October 25.
Offenders could face up to two years in prison, a fine of Tk5,000 or both under the Fisheries Act.
Speaking to BSS, DoF Deputy Director Firoz Ahamed said they have engaged manpower from other sources in the campaign to protect mother ilish.
The DoF has continued extensive drives to protect mother ilish with the cooperation of the Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Coast Guard, and River Police, he said.
Assistant Director and Deputy Chief of the Hilsha Management Section of the DoF Mohammed Kamruzzaman told BSS that they have prioritized the districts in the Barisal and Chittagong zones among the 38 districts to safeguard mother ilish and ensure safe breeding during the 22-day ban period.
A huge quantity of illegal fishing nets has been seized and over 100 people were arrested in the last couple of days in the Barisal and Chittagong zones for fishing during the ban period and using unauthorized nets.
The government has distributed 25kg of rice each among 15,443 families of fishermen in 165 upazilas across the country under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program, he said.
Bhola
The ban, enforced by the Department of Fisheries, covers a crucial 190km fisheries sanctuary spanning several major rivers in Bhola district.
To maintain compliance throughout the ban period, four specialized forces are involved in surveillance efforts. These enforcement teams include patrols conducted by the Navy, Naval Police, Coast Guard and Air Force.
The designated fisheries sanctuary encompasses the Meghna, Tetulia, Kalabadar, Betua, and Ilisha rivers. The total protected area has been precisely delineated, halting all types of fishing within its limits.
Specifically, all types of fishing are suspended along 90km of the Meghna River (from Char Ilisha to Char Pial) and 100km of the Tetulia River (from Bheduria to Char Rustam).
The campaign is part of the larger “Ma Ilish Preservation Campaign-2025,” which is scheduled for 22 days. This period includes four days preceding the Ashwini Purnima and three days following the Amavasya.
Fisheries officials, along with law enforcement agencies, are participating in this extensive operation.
Bhola District Fisheries Officer Iqbal Hossain confirmed that the restriction was decided by senior government authorities.
In Bhola’s seven upazilas, there are approximately 1,50,000 registered fishermen engaged in fishing in the Meghna, Tetulia, Kalabadar, and Ilisha rivers.
Additionally, an estimated 2,50,000 individuals earn their livelihoods through fishing privately.
Patuakhali
Responding to the ban, most fishing trawlers stationed in the Bay of Bengal have returned to the Shibbaria River in Mahipur and Alipur since Friday morning.
Meanwhile, fishermen have demanded an increase in government incentives and stronger administrative patrols in the sea to prevent aggression by fishermen from neighboring countries.
Speaking to BSS, Kalapara Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Apu Saha said: “Our patrols will be strong day and night to enforce the ban. During this time, government assistance will be provided to fishermen.”
Chittagong
A 140km stretch from Mirsharai upazila to Teknaf upazila has been designated as an ilish sanctuary, where all fishing activities, transportation, marketing, and storage of fish are strictly prohibited.
District and upazila task forces, along with law enforcement agencies, the administration, and the Department of Fisheries, have made the necessary arrangements to enforce the ban.
During the prohibition period, over 1,00,000 registered fishermen in Sitakundu, Anwara, Banskhali, Moheshkhali, and Kutubdia—who rely on ilish and other fish—will receive 40kg of food aid each. Distribution will commence next week.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mohammad Kamruzzaman urged fishermen to be patient and allow mother ilish to spawn safely to enhance future production.
Fisherman Kamal Uddin from the Banskhali area confirmed their compliance with the government’s ban, saying that they have already brought their boats and nets ashore.
Fish trader Abdur Rahman from Fringi Bazar Fish Market mentioned that while they are clearing out their fish warehouse before the deadline, some fishermen are still going to the river to earn a living.
He suggested that the campaign would be more successful if the administration maintained a regular presence in fishing villages.
