Dhaka, Oct 7 (UNB) – A 22-day ban on catching, selling, storing and transporting Hilsa will be effective from October 9 to 31, to ensure safe spawning of the national fish during its peak breeding period.

“During this breeding period, the mother Hilsa spawn around 80 percent eggs in the sweet river water and the ban will be imposed in the coastal areas, river estuary and in the districts where Hilsa is available across the country,’ said State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, at a press briefing on the ‘Mother Hilsa conservation drive 2019’ program, at the Secretariat on Monday.

Replying to a question about controlling the Hilsa price in the local market, Khasru said “There is no scope (for price control) in the open market economy.”

In the wholesale market Hilsa is being sold at Tk 300 per kg and the fishermen are happy to sell their Hilsa fish at the landing stations, he said.

Replying to a question, the Minister said currently 5.17 lakh metric tonnes of Hilsa are being produced in the country.