Hilsa fishing will be banned nationwide from 4 to 25 October as the Fisheries Department has launched a special drive to protect mother Hilsha.
On Monday, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter made the announcement at Secretariat’s press conference. “Mother Hilsa Conservation Drive 2025” initiative will ensure the growth of Hilsa production during the breeding season.
Under the Fisheries Conservation Act, fishing, transport, storage, marketing, buying, selling, and exchange of Hilsa are prohibited during this period through official notification.
Adviser added that the 22-day operation will include four days before the full moon and three days after the new moon.
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) and other relevant organizations, with input from fishermen have recommended the schedule.
“These periods are crucial for egg-laying. By including both phases, maximum reproduction is ensured,” Adviser said.
Alongside fisheries officials, law enforcement agencies including the river police, Coast Guard, navy, and air force will participate in the drive.
Farida said that rice under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program will be distributed to 620,140 fishing families across 165 upazilas in 37 districts, with 25 kg allocated per family. A total of 15,503.50 tons of rice will be distributed during the operation.
She added that fishing by trawlers outside territorial waters will be strictly controlled, river dredging will be completely suspended, and Hilsa collection along the coastal and estuary areas will remain fully banned for the entire 22-day period.
The adviser noted that during last year’s drive from 13 October to 3 November, a total of 9,813 operations were conducted through 2,169 mobile courts.
During that period, 54.86 tons of Hilsa were seized, 61.211 million meters of illegal nets were destroyed, and fines amounting to Tk 7.527 million collected.
According to BFRI research, last year’s ban allowed 52.5% of mother Hilsa to lay eggs safely, resulting in the addition of 44,250 crore juvenile (jatka) Hilsa to families.
These juveniles later matured into adult Hilsa. Officials hope this year’s drive will be even more organized and effective.
The adviser said that after the jatka ban ended in mid-June, Hilsa availability in the market was expected to rise.
However, Fisheries Department data shows that Hilsa catch in July and August was 33.20% and 47.31% lower, respectively, compared to 2024.
She added that one of the main obstacles to Hilsa harvesting is the use of illegal nets and fixed traps. The use of illegal nets, including current nets, mosquito nets, and fixed-engine/fixed-trap nets, has increased, resulting in massive catches of juvenile Hilsa.
Under the Fisheries Protection and Conservation Act 1950 (amended 2020), current nets and fixed-engine traps are completely prohibited.
