A ongoing 22-day fishing ban aimed at protecting breeding Hilsa has left over 16,575 registered fishermen across six unions in Bhola’s Lalmohan Upazila without food support also forcing families into severe hardship and mounting debt.
To safeguard Hilsa during their peak spawning season, the government imposed a total prohibition on all riverine fishing across the Meghna and Tetulia sanctuaries from October 8 to October 29. To offset lost income, the government allocated 25 kg of rice per registered fisherman under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program.
Although distribution was scheduled for completion before the ban took effect on October 7, thousands of fishing households in Lalmohan are still waiting for their statutory relief. Local fishermen report taking high-interest loans from micro-credit NGOs and local lenders simply to purchase basic groceries and cover children's school expenses.
Adding to their plight the distribution irregularities and allocation shortages persist. While Lalmohan Upazila has over 24,000 registered fishermen, VGF rice was approved for only 21,000 individuals also leaving thousands entirely excluded from state support.
Community members and local fishing leaders are demanding immediate administrative intervention to distribute delayed VGF allotments, eliminate distribution corruption and expand relief coverage to ensure basic food security during statutory ban periods.
