A comprehensive two-month ban on all fishing activities, including hilsa, has come into effect on the Padma and Meghna rivers in Chandpur District. The measure, aimed at conserving juvenile hilsa (jatka) and boosting overall fish production, commenced at midnight on Saturday. During this period, fishing, buying, selling, transporting, or storing fish in the prohibited areas will be strictly prohibited. Authorities have warned that violators will face stringent legal action.
Areas Affected by the Ban
The Chandpur District administration has specified the following zones where the ban is operational:
| Upazila/Region | Prohibited Zone Boundary | Distance (km) | Restricted Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matlab Uttar | Shatnal to Amirabad Market | 30 | Net casting, fishing, buying/selling, storage, transportation |
| Haimchar | Up to Char Vherbi | 70 | Net casting, fishing, buying/selling, storage, transportation |
During this period, ice plants in the region will also remain closed. To support local fishers, the government has arranged the distribution of rice under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme, providing 160 kg per registered fisher in four installments. Chandpur has a total of 39,400 registered fishers. However, anyone caught violating the ban faces a minimum prison term of one year and a maximum of two years, alongside a possible fine of up to five thousand taka. Both penalties may be applied concurrently.
Statements from Officials
Chandpur District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam stated, “All fishing in the Padma and Meghna rivers has been suspended for two months to protect juvenile hilsa. The VGF rice distribution for fishers has already begun. Comprehensive measures have been taken to prevent unscrupulous fishers from entering the rivers during this period.”
Dr. Mohammad Anisur Rahman, a hilsa researcher at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, cautioned, “Administrative vigilance alone is not enough. Without ensuring financial security for fishers, the long-term benefits of the ban will not be sustainable.”
Superintendent of Police of Chandpur’s Riverine Region, Syed Moshfiqur Rahman, confirmed, “From 1 March to 30 April, river patrols will continue. Through awareness campaigns and regular monitoring, we will ensure no one violates the law or harms juvenile hilsa. Legal action under the Fisheries Act will be taken against offenders.”
The two-month fishing ban is being hailed as a critical step for sustainable hilsa conservation and the long-term management of Bangladesh’s river ecosystems, balancing ecological needs with the livelihoods of local fishers.
