United News of Bangladesh

After a 22-day government ban, the Meghna and Padma rivers are set to come alive once again with the sound of boats and nets being cast, as nearly 43,000 fishermen in Chandpur prepare to resume hilsa fishing from Saturday midnight. The annual restriction on catching, selling and transporting hilsa, aimed at protecting mother fish during the breeding season — will officially end at 12 am, allowing fishermen to return to their traditional livelihood after weeks of hardship. According to Mirza Omar Faruk, Senior Fisheries Officer of Chandpur Sadar upazila, authorities maintained strict monitoring since the beginning of this year’s campaign. Bangladesh moves to curb illegal hilsa fishing as Indian fishermen enter waters: Adviser “The district and upazila task forces were active from day one to ensure that the ban was properly enforced,” he said. Assistant District Fisheries Officer Farhana Akter Ruma said that extensive drives were conducted across the rivers throughout the 22-day ban period to safeguard mother hilsa. Joint forces comprising the district and upazila administrations, fisheries department, river police, coast guard and the district task force patrolled the 70-kilometre sanctuary area day and night. During this time, 64 mobile courts were conducted — 32 in Sadar upazila, 20 in Haimchar, and 12 in Matlab North and South. 15 injured as fisheries dept, law enforcement officials attacked during anti-hilsa drive in Barishal Nearly two metric tonnes of mother hilsa were seized during the drives, along with over 5.5 lakh metres of illegal fishing nets worth about Tk 1.37 crore, which were later destroyed. In total, 77 cases were filed and 119 fishermen were jailed for violating the government ban. Authorities also collected Tk 50,000 in fines from offenders, while the confiscated fish were distributed among orphans and the poor. To support those affected by the ban, the government distributed 25 kilograms of rice to each unemployed fisherman as temporary relief. Many fishermen have, however, voiced concerns that this aid was insufficient. Talking to UNB on Saturday, fishermen including Rahim Majhi, Sakib Majhi and Omar Ali from Sadar upazila, and traders such as Sirajul Islam, Sheikh Amir Hossain, Yunus Miji and Delwar Hossain Mia from Harina Ferry Ghat, said that rice alone was not enough to sustain their families. “The government should provide cash support along with rice,” said Rahim Majhi. “We eat a lot of rice — 25 kilos doesn’t last long. If the money was sent to our mobile accounts, there would be no irregularities," he said.  

Fishing in Kaptai Lake resumed on Saturday midnight after the end of a three-month restriction on fishing by the local administration to ensure the natural reproduction of craps fish.Fish caught from the Kaptai lake began to arrive at the four landing stations of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) on Sunday morning.Kaptai Lake produces a significant quantity of fish each year not only meeting local demand but also supplying markets in various districts of the country.Local administration had imposed a three-month ban on fishing and marketing in the lake from May 1, aiming to ensure the natural breeding and growth of fish, particularly to increase the population of carp species in South Asia's largest man-made lake.Although the initial ban was scheduled to end on July 31, a meeting on July 28 decided to extend the restriction by two additional days, until midnight of August 2, due to lack of preparedness for resuming full-scale fishing.However, fishermen began fishing from midnight only to find that the newly rising water levels had affected fish growth.Traders expressed dissatisfaction over the small size of species such as kachki and chapila fish.According to the fishermen, many big fish died in the lake due to the heavy rainfall that caused swelling of water into the lake. 34 Indian fishermen held for illegal fishing in BayIf this new fry fish was caught after another 15 days the fish that is now sold for taka one crore would have been sold for more than Tk 4 crore, they said.Commander Md. Fayez Al Karim, Manager of BFDC Rangamati, said that after three months and two days of restrictions all types of fishing, marketing and transportation resumed on Kaptai Lake from Saturday midnight.BFDC had made all necessary preparations at the landing centres. “We are optimistic that this year’s catch will exceed last year’s target,” he added.In 1960, a dam was built on the Karnaphuli River in Kaptai upazila of Rangamati for hydropower generation, creating a vast reservoir of 725 square kilometres.This man-made lake—the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia—submerged 54,000 hectares of agricultural land in Rangamati.The lake produces 230 megawatts of electricity from five units of the Kaptai Hydropower Station and generate significant revenue from fishery resources. Approximately 27,000 fishermen rely on the lake for their livelihood.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Monday said the restriction on fishing in the Bay of Bengal will now be for 58 days instead of the previous 65 days. “This year the ban will be shortened to 58 days from April 15 to June 11, the adviser said while speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday. Govt to export 11,000 tonnes of hilsa to KSA, UAE She said that the ban on fishing all types of fish, shrimp, crab, lobster and other crustaceans was initially imposed to increase the production of Hilsa and other fish species in the Bay of Bengal. The 65-day ban which had been in place for many years resulted in a record increase of 12.78% in marine fishery resources, she said. Due to a lack of coordination with neighboring countries during the ban period fishermen from those countries have been taking advantage of Bangladesh’s fish harvest, said the adviser. Fishing organisations and fishermen demanded a more coordinated approach to the ban period, she added. “Following their demand, a technical committee was formed, consisting of experts from the Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, and other stakeholders. Meat, eggs and milk to be sold at affordable prices at 25 spots The committee decided to impose a 58-day fishing ban from April 15 to June 11, as this is the breeding period for most commercially important fish in the Bay of Bengal.” Besides, discussions are underway regarding a proposal to impose a fishing ban for 20 days, or up to a month in the Haor region from May 15 to June 14, in order to preserve local fish stocks, added the adviser.  

Prices of hilsa have shot up again in Chandpur markets as a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing is set to begin at midnight on Saturday, to ensure safe spawning in the freshwaters of the Padma and Meghna rivers. The ban has sparked a rush at Chandpur’s Boro Station fish ghat, one of the country’s largest fish landing centers, where buyers have been scrambling to purchase the priced fish before the restriction takes effect. The government ban, aimed at protecting hilsa during its spawning season, will remain in place until November 3. Traders said hilsa weighing 1 to 1.2 kilograms is being sold for Tk2,800- 3,000 per kilogram, an all-time high. The price of smaller hilsa, weighing 500 to 900 grams, ranges from Tk 1,200 - 2,000 per kilogram. 479 MT hilsa exported to India through Benapole “Prices were lower just a week ago. Now, even though I want to buy, I can’t because the prices have gone up by Tk500 - 700 per kilogram, said Solaiman, a buyer from Ashikati area. At the fish landing centre, local fishermen were seen bringing in fresh hilsa, some from nearby areas, while others arrive by truck from Noakhali.  Omar Faruq, manager of the Kalu Bhuiyan fish shop, said “The upcoming 22-day ban is the reason. The number of retail buyers far outnumbers the fish supply here.”  With the ban approaching, some tourists have also flocked to the  landing centre, turning their fish-buying trip into a family outing, Faruq adding the market has been busy from morning till night, and on Fridays, many tourists were spotted buying hilsa and having it fried at nearby restaurants. 479 MT hilsa exported to India through Benapole Veteran fish traders like Nurul Islam and Mostafa Khan said they haven’t seen prices this high in over 50 years. In the city’s busiest markets, including Biponibagh and Palbazar, the story is the same.  Chandpur District Fisheries Officer Golam Mehedi Hasan explained the practice of imposing the ban. "Hilsa migrate from the sea to freshwater during this time to spawn. The 22-day ban covers a 70-kilometer stretch from Shatnol in Matlab Uttar Upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar Upazila." All fishing, transporting, selling, and stocking of hilsa in this area will be prohibited durning the ban. Despite increased production—reaching 571,342 tonnes in the fiscal year 2022-23, up from 566,593 tonnes the previous year—the demand for hilsa remains high in Bangladesh, keeping prices elevated in the local market. In the fiscal year 2023-24, Bangladesh exported 664.86 tonnes of hilsa to India, generating $7.71 million, according to the Department of Fisheries. The previous year saw exports of 1,376.42 tonnes of hilsa, worth $13.68 million. Read more: 10 Tasty Ilish Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen

The government-imposed two-month ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal started from today. The ban -- to ensure smooth breeding of fish -- will remain in force in the Bay of Bengal till July 23 and in the Sundarbans till August 31. According to the notice issued by the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry, the catching of all kinds of fish through water vessels and boats is restricted till July 23. Also read: 65-day fishing ban in Bay begins from Wednesday The government will provide 86 kg of rice to 12,000 fishermen each in Bagerhat district in two phases during this period. Besides, all kinds of tourist vessels will not be allowed in the Sundarbans from June 1 to August 31 for ensuring safe breeding of the fish in the rivers and canals of the forest. Mohammad Belayet Hossain, Forest Divisional Officer of Sundarbans East Zone, said the government earlier imposed a three-month ban on tourism in the Sundarbans and as per the decision of the government, no tourists will be allowed in the Sundarbans during this period for ensuring safe breeding of wild animals. Bagerhat District Fisheries Officer ASM Russel, said the Fisheries Department will be strict in ensuring enforcement of this ban. Besides, drives will be conducted along the marine boundary, he said.  

The forest department has announced a three-month ban on tourism and fishing in the Sundarbans from June 1. "These three months are the breeding season for most of the species of fish and hence the imposition of the ban in accordance with the Integrated Resources Management Plan (IRMP)," said Md Belayet Hossain, divisional forest officer (DFO-east) of the Sundarbans. “The forest department has already stopped issuing entry permits to implement the ban, and vigil in the mangrove forest will also be increased,” he said. Also read: Six held for illegally netting fish in Sundarbans Usually the ban remains in force from July 1 to August 31. "But this year we are imposing the ban a month before in coordination with the Ministry of Fisheries,” the DFO said. "This ban will help in the breeding and preservation of fish," he added. ln the 6,017 sq km Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans, there are 210 species of white fish, 24 species of shrimp, 14 species of crabs, 43 species of Mollusca and one species of lobster. Also read: 7 fishermen held for illegally catching fish in Sundarbans

 The government has allocated 16,752 metric tonnes of rice under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme to assist the families of 2, 99,135 registered fishermen in 67 upazilas of 14 districts and Chattogram city during the 65-day ban on fishing in the Bay. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has allocated the VGF rice, said a press release here on Monday. Each family will get 40 kilograms of rice for May 20 to June 30 in the first phase. Also read: Fishing ban in Meghna: Fisherman killed in clash with police The upazilas include—Batiaghata, Dakope, Paikgachha Koyra, Dumuria, digholia and Rupsha of Khulna district, Mongla, Morelganj and Sharankhola in Bagerhat district, Ashashuni and Shyamnagar in Satkhira upazila, Bashkhali, anwara, Mirsarai, Sandwip, Karnaphuli, Sitakunda, Chattogram city of Chattogram district, Sadar, Chakaria, Maheshkhali, Ukhiya, Pekua, Kutubdia, Teknaf and Ramu upazilas in Cox’s Bazar district, Hatia, Sadar, Subarnachar and Companyganj in Noakhali district, Sonagazi upazila in Feni district, Ramgati, Sadar, Kamalnagar and Raipur upazilas of Laxmipur district, Mehendiganj, Bakerganj, Hizla, Sadar and Ujirpur upazilas in Barishal district, Razapur upazila in Jhalakathi district, Sadar, Patharghata, Amtoli and Taltoli upazilas of Barguna district, Sadar, Mathbaria, bhandaria, Najirpur, Nesarabad, Kaukhali and Indurkani upazilas of Pirojpur district, Sadar, Kalapara, Baufal, Dumki, Mirzaganj, Galachipa, Rangabali and Dashmina of Patuakhali district, Sadar, Borhanuddin, charfashion, Doulatkhan, Lalmohon, Tajumuddin and Manpura upazilas in Bhola district. Also read: 2-month ban on hilsa fishing begins The government is going to impose a 65-day ban from May 20 to July 23 on fishing in the Bay of Bengal in the interest of the national economy, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim.

Ten fishermen were jailed by a mobile court for a year in Chandpur on Thursday for catching hilsa flouting the ongoing fishing ban. The mobile court led by Chandpur Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Helal Uddin Chowdhury handed down the verdict. Read: Kitchen markets in Dhaka take the heat from 22-day Hilsa ban Chandpur Sadar Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Sudip Bhattacharya said they detained the fishermen conducting a drive in the  Meghna River in the early hours of Thursday. They also seized two trawlers and one lakh meters of banned current nets. The seized nets were destroyed by setting fire and the two trawlers were kept under the custody of the Coast Guard and the Fisheries Department, the officer said. Read: Hilsa ban: 5 injured in attack during drive in Bhola The 22-day Hilsa ban took effect on Sunday midnight aimed at ensuring the safe spawning of the popular fish during its peak breeding period. The ban will remain in place till October 25. Fisheries Department, upazila and district administrations, police and coast guard personnel will carry out regular drives to make sure that the ban is implemented strictly.

The local administration has extended the ongoing ban on fishing in Kaptai Lake till August 31. Commander of the Bangladesh Navy and marketing manager of the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC), Touhidul Islam, said that the ban on netting, marketing and transportation of fish from Kaptai Lake has been extended by 10 days. READ: Patuakhali: 18 held for violating fishing ban Earlier, the BFDC had extended the ban on fishing twice. The latest decision has been taken to increase the safe breading of fish and water level in the lake, said Touhidul. According to the new decision, fishermen can catch fish from September 1. On April 26, the local administration  imposed a three-month ban on netting, marketing and transportation of fish from Kaptai Lake with effect from May 1. READ: 22-day Hilsa fishing ban: 5,533 jailed, Tk243 crore net seized The ban was imposed to ensure natural breeding of carp fish. The ban was subsequently extended. Every year, the government imposes a three-month ban on fishing, marketing and transportation of fish from Kaptai Lake aiming to ensure the natural breeding of fish.

As many as 18 fishermen have been arrested during a river police operation against unauthorised fishing in the Megna River in Rabnabad. Acting on a tip-off, a river police team conducted a drive and arrested the 18 fishermen and seized their four trawlers, fishing nets and one mound of fish on Friday afternoon. Legal action will be taken against those held for fishing against the government ban, said a senior officer of Kalapara Upazila Fisheries Department. READ: Bay fishing ban made 70pc fishermen jobless: COAST Last month, the Bangladesh government imposed a 65-day ban, from May 20 to July 23, on fishing in the Bay of Bengal. The ban was imposed in the interest of the national economy, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim then said. All commercial trawlers have been asked to comply with the ban.READ: 65-day fishing ban in Bay begins from Wednesday