Ban on hilsa fishing in six districts begins

A two-month ban on netting, selling and transporting hilsa starts today.

The ban will be enforced in 432km stretch of ​​six districts including three in Barishal division, Fisheries Officer Masud Ara Momi told The Daily Star. 

The districts are: Barishal, Chandpur, Shariatpur, Lakshmipur, Bhola and Patuakhali.

Instructions have been given through the upazila nirbahi officers of the areas to make this programme a success. Preparations have also been made to conduct operations against violators, said officials at the Fisheries Department.

According to sources at the department, 100km from Shatnal Point in Chandpur to Char Alexander in Lakshmipur, 90km from Charilisha to Charpial in Bhola, 100km from Charveduria in Bhola to Charrustam in Patuakhali, 82km from Barishal Sadar to Mehendiganj upazila, 20km from Naria to Bhederganj of Shariatpur, and 40 kmarea of Andharmanik river in Kalapara of Patuakhali will be under this ban.

Fishers of the six districts will be given 40kg rice  per VGF (vulnerable group feeding) card during the ban, said officials.

However, Israil Pandit, president of the Barishal District Small Fishermen's Association, said 40kg rice is not sufficient, and it should be increased to 150kg.