Fisheries authorities in Daulatpur Upazila under Manikganj district seized 25,000 metres of illegal monofilament gillnets during an extensive drive along the Jamuna River. The operation was launched to enforce the ongoing annual ban on capturing egg-bearing hilsa fish. Alongside the banned nets, enforcement officers confiscated approximately three kilograms of hilsa. Officials estimated the total market value of the seized illegal nets at 750,000 taka.
The anti-poaching operation took place on Thursday, 15 October 2026, as part of the Mother Hilsa Protection Campaign 2026. Upazila Fisheries Officer Suraiya Akhtar Tanni led the drive, accompanied by Assistant Fisheries Officer Md. Mijanur Rahman, local police personnel, and departmental staff. Officers conducted vessel patrols along key stretches of the Jamuna River to catch poachers attempting to exploit the peak breeding season.
Following the seizure, officials incinerated the illegal monofilament nets—commonly known as current jal—in public view, adhering to standard regulatory enforcement procedures. The confiscated hilsa fish were subsequently distributed among local orphanages and destitute families in the area.
The enforcement action forms part of a government-mandated 22-day national ban running from 8 October to 29 October. During this period, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock enforces a complete restriction on catching, selling, transporting, marketing, and storing hilsa across all major riverine and coastal ecosystems. This seasonal ban ensures undisturbed spawning environments, allowing mother hilsa to lay eggs in freshwaters. Safeguarding the fish during this crucial reproductive window remains vital for maintaining natural stocks, boosting national fish yields, and securing the livelihoods of millions dependent on the fishery sector. Local authorities confirmed that joint river patrols will continue around the clock until the end of the prohibition period.
