The 22-day ban on hilsa catching was a success, officials of Department of Fisheries (DoF) claimed after the ban period's end yesterday.

"The campaign to save hilsa was largely successful this time. In addition, Breeding and hatching of hilsa has exceeded expectations due to favourable weather," said Anisur Rahman Talukder, Deputy Director of Fisheries Department's Barisal divisional office. "This year, more than 50 percent of the mother hilsa have laid eggs," he said.

Officials said a lower number of mobile court cases, jails, and fines were recorded compared to the previous year. This was the same for the amount of illegally caught hilsa seized.

However, DoF officials also acknowledged that the number of attempts to fish illegally has increased this year, though most were thwarted. Officials claimed these were mostly undertaken by seasonal anglers.

Abu Sayed, District Fisheries Officer (DFO) said, "Miscreants have shown a new trend this year. Most of the attacks on officials and law enforcement during the ban period came from seasonal fishermen."

According to sources, at least five attacks were committed and at least 30 people, including fisheries officials and law enforcement personnel, we injured during drives.

Barishal division fisheries department records say in 2019, there were 2,538 drives, 1,071 mobile courts and 1,757 cases, while 1,447 anglers were jailed. In 2020, there were 2,505 drives, 1,026 mobile courts and 1,249 cases while 1,133 were jailed. Total amount of fines stood at Tk 48.7 lakh, but this year, it stands at Tk 20.1 lakh.

In 2019, 19.03 lakh tonnes of hilsa were seized and 69.79 lakh tonnes of nets were seized, which is 11.77 lakh tonnes and 82.932 lakh meters respectively this year.

Bimal Chandra Das, fisheries officer of Barishal, said anglers have started fishing after the ban. However, not all mother hilsa have stopped laying eggs, as some eggs have been found in the fish near the end of the ban.

Meanwhile, at least 2,000 maund hilsa from Kalabadar, Meghna, Arial Kha and Bishkhali rivers were brought to the Port Road hilsa fish wholesale market on Thursday.