The drive was conducted on Tuesday, 13 October, as part of the nationwide ‘Mother Hilsa Protection Campaign 2026’. Upazila Fisheries Officer Suraiya Akhtar Tonni spearheaded the operation, supported by Assistant Fisheries Officer Md Mizanur Rahman, personnel from local law enforcement agencies, and staff members from the fisheries department. Operational teams conducted extensive patrols across multiple strategic points along the river where unscrupulous fishermen frequently deploy forbidden monofilament nets.

Following the river patrol and seizure, officials incinerated the prohibited synthetic netting publicly on the riverbanks to prevent its reuse and send a clear warning to local offenders. The confiscated hilsa fish were subsequently distributed among local orphanages and madrasas to ensure that the seized produce benefited community welfare institutions.

The drive forms part of a coordinated national effort to safeguard breeding hilsa during their peak spawning season. Fisheries authorities emphasized that protecting female hilsa during this critical reproduction period remains essential to sustaining national fish stocks and enhancing future annual yields. The monofilament current nets pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as their fine mesh traps fish of all sizes indiscriminately, severely disrupting the natural breeding cycle.

The statutory ban on catching, transporting, selling, or possessing hilsa will remain enforced until 29 October across designated sanctuaries and coastal rivers. To ensure strict compliance with federal guidelines, the local administration has deployed law enforcement units and river police to maintain round-the-clock monitoring. Authorities confirmed that joint patrols, riverine checkpoints, and mobile courts will continue regular operations along the Jamuna and adjacent water bodies throughout the ban period to deter illegal fishing activities and hold violators accountable.