A two-month fishing ban in the Meghna River will take effect from March 1 to April 30 as part of the government’s jatka conservation programme aimed at increasing hilsa production, officials confirmed.
Under the restriction, catching, transporting, marketing and storing of all types of hilsa will be prohibited along a designated stretch of the Meghna. Ice mills in the affected areas will also remain closed during the enforcement period to prevent illegal trade.
The 100-kilometre stretch of the Meghna River from Alexander in Ramgati upazila of Lakshmipur to Shatnol in Chandpur has been declared a hilsa sanctuary. The measure is part of a long-term fisheries management policy to protect juvenile hilsa, locally known as jatka, which are critical to sustaining Bangladesh’s hilsa stock.
According to the district fisheries office, Lakshmipur has approximately 52,000 fishermen, of whom 43,000 are registered. During the ban period, each eligible fisherman will receive 160 kilograms of Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) rice over four months, including the restriction period, as compensation for income loss.
Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md Mahamudul Hasan Chowdhury said coordinated enforcement drives would be conducted daily by the fisheries department, district and upazila administrations, police and the Coast Guard. Legal action, including imprisonment and fines, will be taken against anyone violating the ban.
Deputy Commissioner SM Mehdi Hasan said a taskforce coordination committee led by district and upazila administrations is overseeing implementation of the restriction to ensure effective conservation of jatka and sustainable hilsa production. He added that strict action would be taken if any irregularities are found in the distribution of VGF rice.
The district administration and fisheries department have launched awareness campaigns in riverine and coastal areas through public announcements and poster distribution to inform fishermen about the restrictions and compliance requirements.
However, some fishermen have raised concerns about the adequacy and distribution of government support. Fishermen Kalam, Mintu and Sharif Hossain from Mozu Chowdhury’s Hat said the number of fishermen exceeds the allocated food assistance and alleged that rehabilitation measures have not been fully implemented. They called for accurate beneficiary lists and transparent distribution of VGF rice during the ban.
Bangladesh’s hilsa sector is a major contributor to the country’s fisheries economy and rural livelihoods. Seasonal fishing bans in designated sanctuaries are a central policy tool to maintain fish stocks, protect biodiversity and ensure long-term production stability.
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