The government has imposed a ban of 22 days on the catching of Hilsha fish across the country.
All sorts of transport, sale and stock of Hilsa and Jatka (Hilsa fry less than 23 centimetres in length) will remain prohibited during this period, from Oct 12 to Nov 2.
Fishermen, however, will be supplied with Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) cards to avail 40 kg rice within this period, according to Fisheries and Livestock ministry Additional Secretary Anisur Rahman.
“We have sent the list of fishermen to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for approval,” he said.
Last year, netting Hilsha was prohibited for 15 days in the Bangla month of Ashwin during their primary breeding season according to the lunar calendar.
This year, the ban will begin four days ahead of the first full moon in Ashwin and continue for the next 17 days.
The ministry official told bdnews24.com that previously, a large number of egg-carrying Hilsha were netted on their way to the sea upon the end of the breeding season. The situation remained unchanged even after an extension of the ban period by up to 15 days.
“Therefore, the period has been extended further this year,” said the additional secretary.
He warned that offenders would be jailed through mobile courts.
According to an estimate of the Department of Fisheries, 385,000 tonnes of Hilsha were produced in the 2014-15 fiscal year. More than 400,000 tones of the popular fish breed were produced in the following fiscal year.
Anisul said that the exact number for this year would be in hand by Oct 30.
Due to rainfall and rainy weather prevailing for the last few months, Hilsha is currently abundant in the rivers, said the official.
He credited the government’s initiatives toward banning the netting of Jatka in this connection.
Source: Bd news24
