The government has announced a 58-day ban on all fishing in the Bay of Bengal starting Thursday midnight, aimed at protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the breeding of around 475 fish species.
The restriction will remain in force until 11 June, said a press release from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued Wednesday.
Previously, under the Marine Fisheries Ordinance, a 65-day annual ban was enforced between 20 May and 23 July since 2015. Initially applied only to industrial trawlers, the restriction was extended in 2019 to cover all mechanised boats and coastal fishing vessels.
Fishermen had long criticised the 65-day ban, arguing that while they were barred from fishing in Bangladeshi waters, boats from neighbouring countries often entered illegally.
Responding to these concerns, the government revised the ban last year, reducing it by seven days and aligning it with the restriction period of a neighbouring country. The revised 58-day ban has been continued this year.
To support fishermen during the ban, the government will provide special assistance under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme.
A total of 3,11,062 fishermen from 67 upazilas in 14 coastal districts and Chattogram City Corporation will receive 40 kilogrammes of rice per month throughout the ban period.
Law enforcement agencies carried out extensive drives to enforce compliance during last year’s ban. In 2025, authorities conducted 3,585 operations and 136 mobile court drives, seizing 5,219 nets and confiscating 81.62 tonnes of fish.
They also seized 45 vessels, filed 55 cases, sentenced 16 people to imprisonment, and collected fines amounting to Tk34.82 lakh.
