Photo: BSS

CHANDPUR, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS) - The government has imposed a two-month ban on 
all types of fishing, including Hilsa, in the Padma-Meghna rivers in Chandpur 
district to boost Hilsa production and conserve Jatka, the juvenile form of 
the national fish.
 
The restriction will come into effect from 12:00 midnight on Saturday 
[February 28] and continue through March and April. During this period, 
fishing, buying, selling, transporting, and storing Hilsa fish will be 
strictly prohibited. Authorities have warned that legal action will be taken 
against anyone violating the ban.
 
According to the District Fisheries Department, a 70-kilometer river 
sanctuary has been declared from Shatanol in Matlab Uttar upazila to Char 
Bhairabi in Haimchar upazila for protecting Jatka. 

Around 47,000 registered fishermen in the area will abstain from fishing 
during the ban. Of them, 39,400 fishermen will receive government assistance 
under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme. Each eligible fisherman 
will be provided with 120 kilograms of rice over four months from February to 
May.
 
However, some fishermen expressed concerns about the adequacy of the support. 
Speaking in the Bahria Meghna coastal fishing village in Lakshmipur Model 
Union under Sadar upazila, fisherman Alamgir Hossain said they have kept 
their boats and nets ashore during the ban but are struggling to support 
their families with the limited food aid.
 
Fishermen Ali Akkas Majhi and Yakub Ali Majhi echoed similar concerns, saying 
that rice alone is insufficient to meet household expenses, including 
children's education and loan repayments. They urged the government to 
consider additional financial assistance to ensure their livelihoods during 
the ban period.
 
Chandpur Sadar upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Mirza Omar Faruk said that 
district and upazila task forces will strictly enforce the government's 
directive within the sanctuary area. Mobile courts will conduct drives 
against those found catching Jatka in violation of the law.
 
Superintendent of Police of the Naval Police Chandpur Region, Syed Moshfiqur 
Rahman, said the Naval Police will remain active from March 1 to April 30 to 
prevent illegal fishing. Legal action will be taken under the Fisheries Act 
against anyone found catching Jatka within the naval jurisdiction, he added.
 
Deputy Commissioner and President of the District Task Force Committee Md. 
Nazmul Islam Sarkar said Jatka conservation is a key initiative to ensure 
sustainable Hilsa production. He urged all stakeholders to cooperate in the 
national interest by refraining from illegal fishing.
 
Hilsa researcher Dr. Anisur Rahman emphasized the importance of collective 
efforts to protect Jatka, noting that "Today's Jatka is tomorrow's Hilsa." 
Preserving juvenile fish will ultimately benefit both the country and the 
fishing community, he added.