The 22-day nationwide ban on catching hilsa to protect the national fish during its peak breeding season is set to end at midnight on 25 October and fishermen along the Padma–Meghna rivers in Chandpur are gearing up to return to the waters.
For thousands of fishing families, the ban period has been tough despite limited government food support. Many fishermen say the assistance fell short of their needs even protests took place in Barguna on 21 October over misappropriation of the government rice.
A visit to the Meghna coastal belt on Saturday morning found intense preparation under way. Neighbourhoods across Jamuna Road, Tilabari, Puran Bazar Ronagoyal, Dokanghar, Boheria and Harina ferry ghat have become busy with net-mending and boat maintenance ahead of tonight’s reopening.
According to the District Fisheries Office, a 70-kilometre stretch from Satnol in Matlab North up to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar was declared a sanctuary for mother hilsa during the breeding season.
Around 45,615 registered fishing families in the district each received 25 kg of rice as relief support during the ban.
Fishermen Mofizul Islam and Shawkat Hossain from Ibrahimpur Union said the number of fishermen has increased over the years, resulting in a lower share of hilsa and higher fuel costs. “If we do not get enough hilsa, we suffer losses,” they said.
From Ramdasdi village in Lakshmipur Model Union, fishermen Akbar Khan and Shamsuddin said their families struggled throughout the 22 days. “Twenty-five kilos of rice is nothing with today’s prices,” they said.
Chandpur Sadar Senior Fisheries Officer Mirza Omar Faruk said district and upazila task forces conducted a strict 22-day enforcement campaign to ensure the fish could spawn safely.
The ban, imposed on 4 October as hilsa entered their prime breeding season, saw 94 fishermen arrested and 550,000 metres of illegal nets seized during 21 days of operations.
