In order to conserve jatka (hilsa fry) for the development of hilsa resources of the country, a two-month ban has been imposed on netting, selling and transporting of all kinds fish including Hilsa in five sanctuaries of six districts from March 1 to April 30.
Under this ban, all kinds of fishing will be prohibited in the rivers of Barisal, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Bhola, Shariatpur and Patuakhali districts.
The information was provided in a press release sent from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Monday.
The five sanctuaries include 100km area from Shatnal Point in Chandpur district to Char Alexander point in Laxmipur district; 90km area from Char Ilisha to Char Pial in Bhola district; 100km area from Char Veduria in Bhola district to Char Rustam in Patuakhali district; 82km area in Sadar, Mehendiganj and Hijla in Barishal district and 20km area of Naria and Bhederganj in Shariatpur district.
Under the powers conferred by sub-section 5 of section 3 of the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, 1950, fishing of all kinds of fish including hilsa, jatka (hilsa fry less than 25 cm long) is completely prohibited in these five sanctuaries for two months from March to April every year.
During this time, fishing in the sanctuary is considered a criminal offense. Violators will be punished with a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 2 years rigorous imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk five thousand or both.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has already allotted 80 kg of VGF rice to the registered fishermen who will refrain from fishing in the sanctuary district during this period.
