Patharghata, Oct 12 (V7N) — A 22-day ban on catching, transporting, marketing, and selling hilsa fish will come into effect from midnight today , as part of efforts to protect mother hilsa during their peak breeding season. The ban will remain in force from Sunday, October 13, to November 3 . In response, thousands of fishing trawlers have already begun anchoring across the coastal areas of Bangladesh, with fishermen bracing for a challenging period of unemployment during the ban.

The ban significantly affects the coastal fishing communities, where sea fishing, particularly hilsa, is a primary source of income. In Patharghata, Barguna , where approximately 25,000 fishermen depend on fishing, the restriction has left many worried. Among them, 16,820 fishermen are officially registered, and 11,087 are receiving government support in the form of 25 kg of rice for the 22-day period. However, fishermen have voiced concerns that this assistance is inadequate given current market prices.

Rahim , a fisherman from Kalmegha, expressed his concerns: "With 25 kg of rice, it is impossible to sustain our families for 22 days. We need financial support or alternative employment options." The coastal fishermen are also urging the government to intervene and ensure Indian trawlers do not enter Bangladeshi waters to fish during the ban.

Golam Mostafa Chowdhury , president of the Barguna District Fishery Trawler Owners' Association , echoed these concerns, supporting the ban but calling for alternative employment for fishermen during the period.

Hasibul Islam , Senior Fisheries Officer for the upazila, emphasized the importance of the ban, stating, "We are committed to enforcing this restriction to ensure the success of hilsa's breeding season." He added that any violation of the ban would result in strict legal consequences, including 1 to 2 years of imprisonment or a fine up to five thousand taka , or both.

Despite the hardships, the coastal communities stand in solidarity to protect the mother hilsa and secure a bountiful fishing season in the future.

END/MR/AJ