Authorities in Manikganj have seized 500,000 metres of illegal fishing nets and 20 kilogrammes of mother hilsa during a joint operation on the Padma and Jamuna rivers, as part of efforts to protect the national fish’s breeding grounds and ensure sustainable production. The confiscated nets have an estimated market value of Tk 17.5 million.
The operation was conducted by the district administration on Tuesday, 28 October 2026, from 3.30 pm until 8 pm. Following the seizure, the illegal nets were burned and destroyed, while the confiscated mother hilsa was distributed among disadvantaged and underprivileged local residents.
The operation was led by Nazmun Ara Sultana, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Manikganj. Several senior administrative officials, law enforcement personnel and fisheries officers took part in the drive, reflecting a coordinated effort to curb illegal fishing and safeguard aquatic resources in the district.
Those present included Additional District Magistrate Kamrul Hasan; Shibaloy Upazila Nirbahi Officer Manisha Rani Karmakar; Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Masud Ali Shahriar; and District Fisheries Officer Sheikh Monirul Islam Monir.
The operation also involved Shibaloy Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Aminul Islam and Shahadat Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of the Paturia River Police Outpost. Personnel from the Bangladesh Coast Guard, local police, river police, and the district and upazila fisheries offices also participated.
The seizure highlights the scale of the enforcement effort required to protect hilsa, one of Bangladesh’s most important fish species. Hilsa holds considerable economic, cultural and nutritional significance in the country, supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities and contributing to the wider fisheries sector.
Illegal current nets pose a particular threat to aquatic life because their fine mesh can trap fish of different sizes, including juveniles and species other than those targeted by fishers. Their indiscriminate use can undermine the natural replenishment of fish populations and place additional pressure on river ecosystems.
Protecting mother hilsa during its breeding period is particularly important for maintaining the species’ long-term availability. Allowing mature fish to reproduce helps sustain future generations, while compliance with fishing restrictions and the use of lawful fishing equipment are essential to responsible fisheries management.
The destruction of the seized nets prevents them from being returned to circulation, while the distribution of the confiscated fish provided immediate assistance to vulnerable members of the local community.
Through coordinated enforcement involving the district administration, fisheries authorities and security agencies, the Manikganj operation forms part of wider efforts to combat illegal fishing practices and protect the country’s aquatic resources. Continued enforcement, alongside public awareness and compliance with fisheries regulations, remains essential to preserving hilsa stocks for future generations.
