Photo : BSS

CHANDPUR, Oct 2, 2025 (BSS) - The government has imposed a 22-day ban on fishing in the Padma and Meghna rivers under Chandpur district from October 4 to October 25 to protect mother Hilsa during the peak spawning season.

A 70-kilometre stretch of the Padma-Meghna from Shatnol in Matlab Uttar upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar upazila has been declared a Hilsa sanctuary where all forms of fishing, transportation, marketing and storage of fish will remain strictly prohibited.

District and upazila taskforces, along with law enforcement agencies, the administration and the Fisheries Department, have taken necessary preparations to enforce the ban. 

Specific measures include the blocking of the mouths of canals that connect to the Padma-Meghna, thereby preventing boats from launching. Boats located inside the canals will be gathered and tied up.

Superintendent of Naval Police Syed Moshfiqur Rahman warned that strict legal action will be taken against violators. 

Under the Fisheries Act, offenders face up to two years' imprisonment, a Taka 5,000 fine, or both.

Around 43,000 registered fishermen in Chandpur who depend on Hilsa and other fish will receive 40 kg of food aid each during the prohibition period. The distribution is expected to begin next week.

Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin urged fishermen to be patient and allow mother Hilsa to spawn safely to increase future production. 

He noted that Chandpur district is known nationwide because of Hilsa and catching mother Hilsa now would severely damage future fish production. 

The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that the restriction is for the fishermen's future protection, stating that protecting mother Hilsa now will lead to more Hilsa and greater benefits later.

Fisherman Ayub Ali from Ramdasdi area affirmed that they adhere to the government's ban and have already pulled their boats and nets ashore, noting that Hilsa were not very abundant this season. 

However, he demanded that the administration be stricter and called for the banning of current nets.
Another fisherman Farid Hossain acknowledged that they follow the government's order, but criticized certain unscrupulous individuals who ignore the prohibition and kill mother Hilsa, urging that they be strictly suppressed.

Senior fish trader Sirajul Islam Soyal of Harina Fish Market said that while they clear out their fish warehouse by the deadline, some fishermen go to the river for money. 

He suggested the campaign would succeed if the administration maintained a presence in the fishing villages.

Mirza Omar Faruk, Senior Fisheries Officer for Chandpur Sadar Upazila, confirmed that action would be taken against any administrative personnel found involved in unethical activities.