Barguna, Oct 29, V7N- To boost hilsa fish reproduction, a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing in the Bay of Bengal and surrounding rivers has been imposed, running from October 13 to November 3. The ban has left Bangladesh's second-largest fish landing center, the BFDC in Patharghata, unusually quiet, where thousands once gathered daily to buy and sell fish, including hilsa worth millions of taka. With no buyers or fish supplies, Patharghata’s bustling fish center has come to a standstill, impacting the daily lives of local fishermen.

In response to the ban, fishermen have been provided with 25 kilograms of rice per person to cover the 22-day period. However, this aid has proven insufficient, with fishermen expressing concerns over meeting their basic needs. Fishermen Abdul Jabbar Molla and Jamal Molla shared that, although the ban aims to improve hilsa production, the allocated rice does not sustain their families. They urged the interim government to supplement the rice with financial assistance to help them manage daily expenses, including their children’s education.

Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, President of the Barguna District Fishermen's Trawler Owners' Association, highlighted the challenges faced by fishing families, which often consist of 7-8 members, stressing that rice alone is inadequate to meet their needs. Hasibur Rahman, Senior Fisheries Officer at Patharghata Upazila, noted that 11,087 of the 16,820 registered fishermen are receiving rice rations during this period, but confirmed that no financial aid has yet been allocated. If additional support is approved, it will be distributed to the fishermen promptly.

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