191 fishermen held for defying ilish ban

At least 191 people were arrested from different parts of the country on Monday for illegally netting ilish despite the government's ongoing 22-days ban to allow the fish to repopulate.

Confirming the matter to Dhaka tribune, Police Headquarters Assistant Inspector General (AIG-Media) Md Sohel Rana said: “A total of eight cases have been filed against the arrestees for defying the ongoing ban on catching ilish.”

Police also seized illegal current nets worth Tk14.80 crore, a total of 787kg of mother ilish, 42 trawlers and one speedboat in the drives to protect the ilish population.

A 22-day ban on the catching, selling, hoarding and transporting of ilish came into effect from October 14 to protect ilish with eggs.

The ban will be effective until November 4, as this is the peak period for ilish releasing eggs.

Ilish has the highest contribution to the country's fish production at 12.09%, according to the government. 

Earlier this year, another two-month ban on catching, selling, and transporting of ilish began on March 1 and ended May 1.