Our Correspondent, Barishal :
A two-month fishing ban started from early Saturday in a designated 82-kilometer stretch across three rivers in 10 upazilas of Barishal division.
According to the Barishal District Fisheries Office, the ban-enforced since 2019-aims to protect hilsa fries (jatka), ensure safe breeding, and boost hilsa production.
The restriction, is going to enforce from March 1 to April 30, covers the Meghna, Kalabadar, and Gojaria rivers in Barishal and Bhola districts.
It banaffects 3 upazilas in Barishal district -Hizla, Mehendiganj, and Barishal Sadar-as well as all seven upazilas in Bhola district.
Barishal District Fisheries Officer Ripon Kanti Ghosh said that awareness campaigns have been conducted across 21 unions in three upazilas.
“This area has been identified as a crucial hilsa breeding zone. The ban is essential to protect juvenile fish and ensure increased production in the long run,” the DFO added .
Although affected 46,576 fishermen in the three upazilas will not receive separate compensation, all registered fishers in these areas are covered under the government’s Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program.
Meanwhile, Israel Pandit, president of the Barishal Divisional Small Fishermen Association, urged authorities to provide 100 kilograms of rice per month to the affected fishermen, emphasizing the financial strain caused by the fishing ban.
