Staff Reporter :
A 22-day ban on catching, selling, and transporting all fish, including ilish, will take effect from Saturday midnight.
The ban will continue until early November 3, marking the main breeding season of ilish.
The ban has been imposed to ensure the safe breeding of the fish and will be strictly enforced across 48 districts, confirmed the Deputy Director of the Barisal Divisional Fisheries Office (DFO), Nripendranath Biswas.
The ban will cover a 100km stretch of the Meghna River, from Shatanal to Char Alexander in Laxmipur, during which time no fisherman will be allowed to enter the river.
Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhtar officially announced the decision in Dhaka on last Sunday.
This 22-day annual ban has been in place for several years to protect ilish during its critical breeding period.
“The ban will be strictly enforced by a joint task force consisting of the district and upazila administration, police, and coast guard,” said Biswas. “Any attempts to catch, transport, or sell ilish or other fish during this time will be prohibited nationwide.”
To assist fishermen affected by the ban, the government will distribute 25 kg of rice under the vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme. However, fishermen are voicing concerns about financial hardships during this period, as many rely on daily income from fishing to support their families.
“We are struggling to provide for our families and repay loans and installments. If we do not receive financial support along with food aid, it will be very difficult for us,” said Yusuf Majhi, a fisherman from Dowlatkhan, Bhola. “Many of us may be forced to enter the river despite the ban.”
Shawkat Ali, divisional commissioner of Barisal, assured that strict measures are in place to implement the ban, and all field-level administrations have been instructed to ensure compliance. The conservation campaign to protect mother ilish will also run simultaneously during this period.