Staff Correspondent

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has intensified surveillance and enforcement drives across the coastal areas, rivers and territorial waters to protect brood hilsa during the government-imposed fishing ban aimed at ensuring the safe spawning and reproduction of the national fish.

The 22-day nationwide ban began on October 8 and will remain in effect until October 29. During this period, catching, transporting, storing, marketing and buying or selling hilsa are strictly prohibited across the country.

Coast Guard stations and outposts under its four zones are conducting regular patrols, special drives and surveillance to protect hilsa breeding grounds.

According to Coast Guard officials, conservation operations have been intensified in 54 upazilas across 16 districts. 

Areas receiving particular attention include Chandpur, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Munshiganj, Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Sharan Khola and Bogi in Bagerhat, the Chattogram outer anchorage, and Raipur and Kamalnagar in Lakshmipur.

So far, the Coast Guard has seized 83,30,900 metres of fishing nets, 155 kilogrammes of hilsa and 14 boats during enforcement operations. Twenty-four people have been brought under the law in connection with the violations.

The seized nets were destroyed in the presence of fisheries representatives, while the confiscated hilsa was distributed among local orphanages. The seized boats were handed over to the relevant fisheries officials.

The Coast Guard has also kept patrol vessels on alert to prevent fishing trawlers from neighbouring countries from entering Bangladesh's territorial waters illegally.

Operating in remote rivers and coastal areas, particularly at night, and preventing the use of prohibited fishing nets remain major challenges. To address these difficulties, the force has strengthened regular patrols, special drives, intelligence gathering and the use of modern technology while coordinating with other relevant agencies.

Alongside enforcement, the Coast Guard is conducting awareness campaigns through public announcements, leaflet distribution and meetings to encourage fishers to comply with the ban.

Authorities said protecting hilsa during its breeding season will help increase future production and benefit fishing communities in the long run.

Under a government humanitarian assistance programme, rice is being allocated to 6,46,290 fishing families in 168 upazilas across 38 districts, with each family entitled to 25 kilogrammes during the fishing ban.

Burhan Uddin, a fisherman from Char Fasson in Bhola, told BSS that the 22-day restriction would help hilsa reproduce and boost its population, ultimately benefiting fishers. 

He also praised the government's food assistance for helping families cope with the temporary loss of income.

Professor Mohammad Mamun Chowdhury, chairman of the Department of Fisheries at Dhaka University, described the ban as an effective initiative but suggested extending it from 22 days to one month. 

He said egg-bearing hilsa are still caught in fishing nets after the restriction ends.

He also praised the Coast Guard's role, saying regular patrols and enforcement operations were crucial to preventing illegal fishing and protecting brood hilsa.

Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon said operations and surveillance had been strengthened to ensure safe spawning. 

He stressed that continued public cooperation was essential to protecting hilsa reproduction and sustaining the country's blue economy.

The Coast Guard has urged commoners to report violations and related irregularities by calling its emergency service number, 16111.

The officials said the success of the conservation drive will depend not only on law enforcement but also on the cooperation of fishers, fish traders and other stakeholders.