Two-Month Fishing Ban in Padma-Meghna

The government has imposed a two-month ban on catching all types of fish, including hilsa, in the Padma River and Meghna River to protect juvenile hilsa, locally known as jatka, and boost future production.

The restriction will remain in force from March 1 to April 30. During this period, fishing, sale, transportation and storage of fish are prohibited in designated stretches of the rivers. Authorities have warned of strict legal action against violators.

A nearly 70-kilometre sanctuary has been declared from Satnal in Matlab Uttar upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar via Chandpur Sadar. Around 47,000 registered fishermen are expected to refrain from fishing during the ban.

To ease their hardship, 39,400 fishermen will receive Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) rice assistance—40 kg per month for four months from February to May, amounting to 160 kg per person in total.

However, several fishermen along the Meghna riverbanks said the food support would not be enough to sustain their families and urged the government to provide additional cash assistance during the closure.

District and upazila task forces will enforce the ban, with mobile courts conducting drives against illegal jatka fishing. River patrols by Naval Police will remain active throughout the period, and offenders will face action under existing fisheries laws.

Officials and fisheries experts emphasised that protecting jatka now is essential to ensure higher hilsa yields in the coming years.