Fishing, transportation, storage, marketing and buying and selling of hilsa will be banned in the Padma-Meghna river system in Chandpur for 22 days, from October 8 to 29, to protect mother hilsa during the peak breeding season. The administration has taken various measures to enforce the ban, including strengthening surveillance on rivers and major roads across the district.

During the period, special surveillance will be conducted along around 70 kilometres of river from Shatnal in Matlab Uttar upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar upazila. The administration, Department of Fisheries, river police and Coast Guard will jointly conduct the operation to ensure safe breeding of mother hilsa.

District Fisheries Officer Md Fakhrul Islam said all ice factories in the district would remain closed during the 22-day ban. No dredging machines would be allowed to operate in the rivers. Special surveillance would also be maintained to prevent fishermen from outside Chandpur from fishing in the rivers.

He said there were plans to block the entrances to eight to nine important canals in the sanctuary areas. Checkposts would also be set up on major roads at the initiative of the district police. Quick Response Teams would remain ready to take immediate action if any problems arise during the operation.

Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Ziaur Rahman said fishermen who catch mother hilsa in violation of the ban would face at least six months in prison. Steps would also be taken to cancel their fishermen’s cards. A decision has been made to set up five temporary police camps in the sanctuary areas.

The deputy commissioner said each fisherman who refrains from going to the river and catching mother hilsa during the ban would receive 25kg of food assistance. A total of 41,390 fishermen in Chandpur will receive the assistance. Measures would also be taken to ensure that fishermen do not come under pressure to repay loan instalments during this period.

Coordination among the relevant departments has been strengthened to enforce the ban, ensure food assistance, increase surveillance along river routes and prevent illegal fishing. The deputy commissioner said the administration, law enforcement agencies, Department of Fisheries, public representatives and fishermen would have to work together to ensure the safe breeding of hilsa.