65-day fishing ban at sea to begin May 20
A 65-day ban on fishing at sea will remain in effect from midnight on May 20 till July 23, covering up to 200 nautical miles along the coast.
During the period, netting using any fishing boat, mechanical or other vessel will be completely banned, said officials of Department of Fisheries.
The ban is being enforced in 14 coastal districts, 65 upazilas and Chattogram city, fisheries officials said.
Dr Muhammad Tanvir Hossain Chowdhury, deputy chief (marine) of Department of Fisheries Dhaka, said it would be implemented in the maritime area from May 20 to July 23.
"We are stopping fishing during the breeding season, so that fishes can breed properly. The ban will be applicable to more than three lakh marine fishers, who have 68 thousand mechanised and artificial boats, and 260 industrial boats."
Anisur Rahman Talukder, director of Barishal Divisional Fisheries Department, said fishers have been instructed to leave the sea area within a scheduled time. "This measure has been taken for safe breeding of different species of fish in the sea."
Bimal Chandra Das, fisheries officer (hilsa), Barishal, said the aim is to protect different species of fish in the sea. Each fisher will get 86 kg of rice during the 65-day ban. Preparations are underway to prevent fishers from going to the sea during this time.
Israel Pandit, general secretary of Barishal Bibhagiyo Khudro Matsyajibi Samity, called for food aid for fishers during the ban.
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