Hilsa Returns to Market as 22-Day Ban Comes to an End

The 22-day government ban on catching Hilsa during its peak breeding season ended at midnight on Saturday. Following the end of the restriction, thousands of fishermen have already returned to the rivers, and according to officials, Hilsa will be available in the markets from Sunday.

The ban, which began on October 4, lasted for 22 days. This year’s special campaign to protect mother Hilsa covered the four days before the Ashwini full moon and the three days following the new moon. The time frame was set based on recommendations from the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute and other related agencies, particularly the opinions of fishermen. Both the full moon and new moon phases are crucial for spawning, and the inclusion of these two periods ensured maximum reproduction.

According to research by the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, 52.5 percent of mother Hilsa were able to spawn safely during the 2024 ban period. As a result, approximately 44.25 trillion Hilsa fry or larvae have been added to the Hilsa population. These larvae will eventually grow into mature Hilsa.

Sources from the Department of Fisheries said that strict monitoring and enforcement were maintained throughout the ban period. Officials expect that this year’s measures will help achieve the desired Hilsa production target.

Khabarwala/TSN