Jatka Conservation Week begins April 7 across Bangladesh

Jatka Conservation Week Bangladesh 2026 will be observed from April 7 to April 13, aiming to raise awareness on protecting juvenile hilsa and increasing overall fish production.

The nationwide initiative, organised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, will be implemented across 20 hilsa-rich districts. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Amin Ur Rashid announced the programme during a press briefing at the ministry in Dhaka.

The inaugural ceremony is set to take place in Chandpur Sadar, a key hilsa-producing region, while awareness programmes will also be carried out at district and upazila levels throughout the week.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of conservation, with the message: “If we stop catching jatka, rivers and seas will be filled with hilsa.”

The minister outlined a series of policy measures already in place to protect hilsa resources and ensure sustainable development. These include a 58-day ban on all fishing in the Bay of Bengal from April 15 to June 11, a 22-day ban on hilsa harvesting during peak breeding season, and a complete prohibition on catching, transporting and selling jatka from November 1 to June 30.

He said that additional steps have been taken, including the establishment of six hilsa sanctuaries, seasonal fishing restrictions in designated areas and the declaration of a 3,188 square kilometre marine protected area. Projects such as Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries and Hilsa Resource Development are also being implemented alongside stricter enforcement measures.

Highlighting progress, Amin Ur Rashid said hilsa production in Bangladesh is increasing steadily due to these coordinated efforts. He noted that jatka are now being found beyond traditional zones in the Meghna River and have expanded into major rivers including the Padma, Jamuna, Brahmaputra and Surma.

The minister also pointed to ongoing enforcement drives to curb illegal fishing practices, particularly the use of current and behundi nets, which have been identified as major threats to hilsa stocks. He said a 30-day “Special Combing Operation 2026” was conducted earlier this year across 96 upazilas in 18 districts, followed by a 15-day drive in 79 upazilas in March, with operations continuing until June.

To support fishers during fishing restrictions, the government has expanded assistance programmes. Around 367,000 fisher families receive 40 kilograms of rice per month for four months, totalling 58,720 metric tonnes annually, while 619,312 families received 25 kilograms of food assistance during the breeding season.

Under the Hilsa Resource Development and Management Project, fishers are also being provided with training, equipment and livestock to support alternative income generation.

The minister emphasised the importance of collective action, stating that coordinated efforts among the ministry, the Department of Fisheries, research institutions and law enforcement agencies are ongoing. He also urged the public to refrain from catching, buying, selling or storing jatka to ensure long-term sustainability of hilsa resources.