Bangladesh Navy conducts

National desk:

As in previous years, the “Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025” will be observed nationwide from 4 October to 25 October 2025, covering a 22-day period during the prime breeding season of Hilsa. During this time, catching, transporting, storing, buying, selling, or exchanging Hilsa will be completely prohibited. In addition, all types of fishing vessels are banned from catching Hilsa and other fish species in marine fishing areas. To implement the government’s directives, the Bangladesh Navy has been deployed across the sea, rivers, and coastal areas.

Under the framework of “In Aid to Civil Power”, the Bangladesh Navy’s ships are conducting operations in coastal waters as well as in the country’s inland rivers as part of the “Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025.” A total of seventeen naval warships have been assigned across nine districts. As part of the operation, BNS Dhanshiri/Shahid Farid and BNDB Gangchil are on patrol in Chandpur, while BNS Atandra, Shahid Mohibullah, Durjoy, Sagar, and Shahid Daulat are deployed in Cox’s Bazar. In Khulna, BNS Meghna and Chitra/Titas are patrolling, and in Bagerhat, BNS Karatoya and Abu Bakar/Durgam are engaged. In Pirojpur and Barguna, BNS Salam and Kushiyara are deployed, while in Barishal, BNS Padma and Chitra/Titas are conducting operations.

In Patuakhali, LCVP-013 is carrying out special patrol duties. The Navy’s warships and advanced maritime patrol aircraft are maintaining continuous surveillance in deep-sea areas to prevent illegal incursions by local and foreign fishers. The fleet’s ships, crafts, and boats are deployed in the main Hilsa breeding zones. In close coordination with the local administration, the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, Naval Police, and
Fisheries Department, the Navy is working to prevent illegal Hilsa fishing and the entry of foreign fishing trawlers.

During the campaign, strict legal action will be taken against unscrupulous individuals and mechanised fishing vessels involved in illegal activities, and awareness programmes will be carried out to educate the public about the importance of conserving Hilsa.

\Naval personnel remain fully committed to protecting the breeding grounds of Hilsa, ensuring unrestricted spawning, and safeguarding this vital national resource.