22-day ban on hilsa catch begins today

The directorate of fishing has imposed a 22-day restriction on hilsa fishing at four points across 7,000 sq km of coastal, estuarial, and riverine areas from October 1 to 22 to ensure safe spawning.

The four points are the Shaherkhali-Haitkandi point in Chittagong in the north-east, the Uttar Kutubdia-Gondamara point in Cox’s Bazar in the south-west, the Uttar Tazumuddin-Pashchim Syed Awalia point in Bhola in the north-west, and the Latachapli point of Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali in the south-west.

Sources in the fishing directorate said that, at the peak of the breeding season, lakhs of hilsas proceed from the sea to the coast, estuary, and rivers to lay eggs around this time. The eggs laid by each fish could produce lakhs of hilsa. So, the complete ban on fishing hilsa, along with all other fish, has been imposed for 22 days.

Its successful enforcement may increase hilsa and other fish resources, the sources said.

Md Azizul Haque, senior assistant director of the Barisal fisheries department, said widespread propagation has been done with posters and banners, and meetings arranged between fishermen and the authorities concerned to ensure the success of the ban.

As a result of the yearly ban, hilsa production rose to 24,000 tonnes in August this year.  The figure was 21,000 tonnes this time last year.

The district and upazila administrations, the Navy, Coast Guard, and lawmen have been asked to monitor the enforcement of the ban and take action against any violators.

Around 300 Coast Guard teams were scheduled to start the operation from midnight yesterday.

A visit to the wholesale hilsa market in Barisal this morning on Port Road revealed a last-moment trade of over 2,000 maunds of hilsa.

The rate, however, had risen from that of last week.

Ajit Kumar Das, president of the Barisal hilsa wholesale market, said they have also seen the results of the ban.

So, not a single boat will be out to catch fish in the river or the bay during the ban, he promised.

 

 

22-day ban on hilsa catch begins today

The directorate of fishing has imposed a 22-day restriction on hilsa fishing at four points across 7,000 sq km of coastal, estuarial, and riverine areas from October 1 to 22 to ensure safe spawning. The four points are the Shaherkhali-Haitkandi point in Chittagong in the north-east, the Uttar Kutubdia-Gondamara point in Coxs Bazar in the south-west, the Uttar Tazumuddin-Pashchim Syed Awalia point in Bhola in the north-west, and the Latachapli point of Kalapara upazila in Patuakhali in the south-west. Sources in the fishing directorate said that, at the peak of the breeding season, lakhs of hilsas proceed from the sea to the coast, estuary, and rivers to lay eggs around this time. The eggs laid by each fish could produce lakhs of hilsa. So, the complete ban on fishing hilsa, along with all other fish, has been imposed for 22 days. Its successful enforcement may increase hilsa and other fish resources, the sources said. Md Azizul Haque, senior assistant director of the Barisal fisheries department, said widespread propagation has been done with posters and banners, and meetings arranged between fishermen and the authorities concerned to ensure the success of the ban. As a result of the yearly ban, hilsa production rose to 24,000 tonnes in August this year. The figure was 21,000 tonnes this time last year. The district and upazila administrations, the Navy, Coast Guard, and lawmen have been asked to monitor the enforcement of the ban and take action against any violators. Around 300 Coast Guard teams were scheduled to start the operation from midnight yesterday. A visit to the wholesale hilsa market in Barisal this morning on Port Road revealed a last-moment trade of over 2,000 maunds of hilsa. The rate, however, had risen from that of last week. Ajit Kumar Das, president of the Barisal hilsa wholesale market, said they have also seen the results of the ban. So, not a single boat will be out to catch fish in the river or the bay during the ban, he promised.