DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - The River Police have intensified nationwide operations to protect fisheries resources and ensure safety on waterways, resulting in major seizures and arrests over the past six days.

During the operations, River Police recovered 2,35,72,380 meters of illegal fishing nets, seized 2,645 kgs of fish, 5,700 Bagda renu fry, 700 kgs of Pangas fish fry, and 145 kgs of jellied shrimp, according to a press release of the force.

Additionally, 191 illegal bushes were destroyed from rivers across the country.

Legal action was taken against 95 bulkheads in the naval court, while four 
dredgers were seized for operating without valid documents.

A total of 264 people were arrested, and 65 cases were filed, including 51 cases under the Fisheries Act, nine under the Reckless Speed Act, three cases of unintentional death, one sand extraction case, and one murder case.

During the operations, eight bodies were also recovered from different waterways.

Authorities said that all seized illegal nets and jellied shrimp were destroyed on the spot.

The seized fish fry were released back into the water to protect aquatic life, while the remaining fish were distributed to orphanages.

The River Police stated that such operations will continue regularly to curb illegal fishing, protect biodiversity, and maintain law and order on the country's rivers and waterways.