Bhola, Apr 15 (V7N) – A 58-day fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal came into effect on Tuesday, April 15, and will continue until June 11. The ban applies to all types of fishing vessels and covers the entire maritime area under Bangladesh’s jurisdiction.

This year, for the first time, the fishing ban periods in both Bangladesh and India have been synchronized, resolving a long-standing issue faced by Bangladeshi fishermen. In previous years, India's fishing ban would end 39 days earlier than Bangladesh’s, allowing Indian fishermen to dominate the fishing grounds and collect most of the seasonal catch. The alignment of timelines is expected to provide a level playing field for Bangladeshi fishers once the ban is lifted.

According to Bhola District Fisheries Officer Biswajit Kumar Deb, around 65,000 sea-going fishermen from Bhola alone will refrain from fishing during this 58-day period. To support them, the government has allocated 78 kg of rice per person, which will be distributed throughout the duration of the ban.

The ban has been imposed under Rule 3(1)(a) of the Marine Fisheries Rules, 2023, as announced by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. It aims to ensure the proper reproduction and conservation of marine fish species, boost fish stocks, and promote sustainable fishing practices in Bangladesh’s maritime waters.

Authorities believe that enforcing this ban will lead to an increase in both fish production and long-term economic benefits for the fishing community. The Bangladesh Coast Guard, Navy, and Fisheries Department task force will conduct joint patrols to enforce the restrictions and prevent illegal fishing during the ban period.

The Fisheries Department has assured that efforts will be made to distribute relief rice promptly at the beginning of the ban to alleviate hardship for affected fishermen.

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