Kuakata, Oct 16 (V7N) — The Bangladesh Navy detained two Indian-flagged ships and 31 fishermen for illegally fishing in Bangladesh's deep-sea waters near Kuakata. Approximately 50 maunds of various marine fish, including the prized hilsa, were confiscated during the operation on Tuesday night.

The detained vessels, identified as Joy Jagannath and Ma Basanti, were intercepted after a sea chase. According to Navy officials, the fishermen are believed to be Indian nationals, but local police stated that their identities are still under verification.

The trawlers, along with the detained fishermen, were brought to the jetty of Payra Port on Wednesday morning. Lt. Commander Mohammad Mosiul Islam of the Banouja Shahid Akhtar Uddin patrol ship said that the Navy was conducting regular patrols to enforce a 22-day ban on fishing, aimed at protecting mother hilsa.

“When we spotted the vessels, they tried to flee, but our team managed to intercept them,” he stated. The fishermen reportedly hail from different parts of the 24 Parganas district in India.

Apu Saha, Senior Fisheries Officer of Kalapara Upazila, confirmed that preparations are underway to file a formal case against the detained fishermen. Officer-in-Charge of Kalapara Police Station, Jewel Islam, added that the fishermen will be presented in court after their identities are confirmed and legal proceedings are initiated.

The government of Bangladesh has imposed the 22-day ban from September 13 to November 3 to ensure the protection and conservation of hilsa during the peak spawning period.

END/MSS/AJ