A two-month ban on all fishing activities in the Padma and Meghna rivers takes effect from midnight Saturday (March 1). The restriction, covering March and April, aims to protect Jatka (hilsa fry) and boost overall hilsa production.
The ban applies to a 70-kilometer stretch of the river sanctuary, extending from Shatanol in Matlab Uttar Upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar Upazila. During this period, catching, transporting, storing, and marketing any fish is strictly prohibited by law.
The District Fisheries Department confirmed that mobile courts and naval police will maintain a constant vigil. "This sanctuary is vital for the breeding cycle. Violators will face strict legal action, including fines and imprisonment," a fisheries official stated.
While the ban temporarily halts the livelihood of local fishers, authorities emphasized that protecting these breeding grounds is essential for the long-term sustainability of the hilsa population and the river's biodiversity.
