Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar spoke at the ministry's conference room today. Photo : PID

DHAKA, April 7, 2025 (BSS) - Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar today revealed that the government will observe "Jatka Conservation Week-2025" starting from April 8 with the aim of protecting and boosting Jatka (young Hilsa) production.

The adviser made this announcement at a press conference at the ministry's conference room in the afternoon, according to a ministry release. 

She said conserving jatka would boost hilsa production, helping to stabilize prices and ensure better market supply.

The advisor mentioned that the interim government has implemented an effective action plan to make Hilsa affordable for common people and as part of this effort, Jatka Conservation Week will be observed during April 8 to 14.

The theme for this year's event is "If Jatka Fishing is Stopped; Hilsa will be Caught in Nets." 

Jatka refers to a small Hilsa fish, measuring around 10 inches or 25 centimeters. A hilsa weighing one kilogram typically measures between 40 and 50 centimeters, and if it weighs more than 2 kilograms, it reaches about 60 to 62 centimeters. Through the Jatka Conservation Week, Jatka will be allowed to grow into a mature hilsa.

During the 2023-24 fiscal year, the country produced 5,29,000 metric tons of Hilsa, contributing roughly 11 percent of the nation's total fish production. Hilsa also plays a significant role in the national economy, contributing over 1 percent to the GDP. 

Bangladesh is the world's leading producer of Hilsa, accounting for over 80 percent of global production, harvested from the country's rivers, estuaries, and seas. It ranks the first among the 11 Hilsa-producing countries.

The Fisheries Adviser highlighted that the government not only enforces laws to protect Jatka but also significantly increased the amount of VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) food assistance for fishermen during the ban of hilsa fishing.

In the 2023-24 fiscal year, 361,071 fishing families who stopped fishing Jatka were provided with 28,885 metric tons of VGF rice, distributed at a rate of 40 kg per month for four months. 

To protect mother Hilsa during its main breeding season, 13,707 metric tons of VGF rice were distributed to 566,565 fishing families, at a rate of 25 kg each, during the same fiscal year.

Besides food aid, various types of assistance, including the provision of calf calves, are being offered to fishermen through the "Hilsa Resource Development and Management Project" to create alternative employment opportunities.

The Fisheries Adviser urged everyone to cooperate in protecting Jatka.

Jatka Conservation Week 2025 will be observed in 20 Hilsa-rich districts across the country, including Dhaka, Manikganj, Rajbari, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur, Munshiganj, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Jhalakati, Chandpur, Lakshmipur, Feni, Noakhali, Chattogram, Bagerhat, and Sirajganj.

The opening ceremony of Jatka Conservation Week will take place on April 8 at Bells Park in Sadar Upazila, Barisal district, one of the Hilsa-rich areas in Barisal division. 

A boat rally will also be held on the Kirtankhola River near DC Ghat in Barisal Sadar Upazila.

According to Rule 3(1) of the Marine Fisheries Rules-2023, fishing of any kind by all types of fishing vessels in the Bay of Bengal is prohibited for 65 days, from May 20 to July 23 each year. This ban has contributed to a record 12.78 percent increase in marine fish resource fishing.

A technical committee, consisting of marine fisheries experts, scientists from the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, the Department of Fisheries officials, and stakeholders, recommended shortening the fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal to 58 days, from April 15 to June 11. 

Following this recommendation, the government issued a notification on March 16, 2025, amending the Marine Fisheries Rules 2023 to establish this new 58-day fishing ban for the conservation of marine fisheries and sustainable fishing practices.