BSS-49 27 fishermen jailed for illegal Hilsa catching

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BSS-49

HILSA-DRIVE-CONTINUE

27 fishermen jailed for illegal Hilsa catching

DHAKA, Oct 16, 2019 (BSS)- Amidst the ongoing ban on catching Hilsa fish, authorities concerned conducted drives at different parts of Bhola and Faridpur districts, seizing nearly 2,520 kgs of mother Hilsa and current nets.

During the drives, conducted by mobile courts, local administrations and district fisheries offices- 27 fishermen were detained and inflicted punishment for their offenses.

In Bhola, mobile courts and local administration detained 22 fishermen from the Meghna and Tetulia rivers and sentenced them to one year imprisonment each for violating the ongoing ban on Hilsa catching.

Bhola fisheries office said, three trawlers were rescued during the drive, besides seizing 2,500 kgs of Hilsa fish and almost 5.5 lakh meter of current nets.

District Fisheries Officer S M Azharul Islam told BSS, Upazila Executive Officer Md. Ruhul Amin detained three fishermen from Meghna Char Fashion upazila and sentenced them to one year imprisonment each and Upazila Executive Officer Md. Kamal Hossain detained 12 fishermen from Sadar upazila and sentenced them to one year imprisonment each, Upazila Executive Officer detained two fishermen from Tamijuddin upazila and sentenced them to one year imprisonment each.

In Faridpur, Executive Magistrate Hasan Mohammad Hafizur Rahman sentenced five fishermen to one month imprisonment each for catching Hilsa from the Padma River in Charvadrashon upazila of Faridpur District.

The detainees are- Abul Hossain (30), Ajij Khan (45), Sheikh Selim (40) , Md Rabiul (25) and Sheikh Thandu (30).

Upazila Fisheries Officer said, during the drive, 20kg of mother Hilsa and 10,000 meter of current nets were seized.

The government has imposed a 22-day ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting Hilsa from 9 to 30 October to ensure the safe spawning of Hilsa during its peak breeding period.

The seized fish current nets have been destroyed while the Hilsa have been distributed to local orphanages and madrasas.

BSS/CORR/TIT/KU/42 HRS