The drought in fishing is now over as plenty of hilsa is being netted with the end of a 15-day official ban. Fishermen said they are happy with the catch after they have endured a difficult time without earning for so many days.
The restriction in fishing along the190 kilo meter stretch of the river Meghna and in the Bay of Bengal ended on October 16. This is a routine embargo slapped on fishing to facilitate spawning and breeding of hilsa, a delicacy for Banglis in this country and elsewhere in the world.
Sources said the fishermen sailed into river and the Bay on Saturday after the end of the ban and netted a large number of hilsa.
The fish terminals of Ilisha, Kachia, Tulatoli and Daulatkhan fish in Bhola are buzzing with activities. Scores of fishermen are returning with catch at terminals where fish traders have crowded with containers for shipment to Dhaka and Barisal markets.
 Ruhul Amin,40, Sha Alam majhi ,55, of Ilisha fish terminal said they have netted hilsa of mostly medium and small size. Four or two pairs of such hilsa are being sold for Tk600 to Tk1000.    Siddque Majhi and Saidul Majhi of Daulat Khan fish terminal said they are catching medium and small size hilsa worth Tk10,000 to Tk15,000 a day.
They, however, said robbers are also active in the rivers and there is possibility of falling prey to them.
The fishermen want regular patrol by law enforcing agencies, including police and coastguard, in the river Meghna and the Bay for safety of the fishermen.
 Sources said members of the Coast Guard are continuing their drives against the robbers in the river and in the Bay for safe fishing.