Photo: BSS

BAGERHAT, Oct 25, 2025 (BSS) - Fishermen across the country, including the Bay of Bengal and inland rivers, will resume catching Hilsa from midnight tonight, following a 22-day government-imposed ban to protect the breeding population of the fish.

In Bagerhat and other coastal areas, fishermen have already completed preparations to go to sea. 

Over fifty fishing trawlers were observed this afternoon at the Bhairab Daratana and Baleshwar rivers, as well as at the Sharankhola Fisheries Landing Center, being loaded with nets, ice, food, market goods, and fuel.

Sharankhola Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Anjan Sarkar said the upazila has 6,814 registered fishermen, of whom 4,459 are eligible for government assistance for deep-sea Hilsa fishing. 

Each beneficiary was to receive 25 kg of rice during the ban. "Due to local issues, rice distribution has been delayed in some areas, but it will be completed within the next one or two days," he added.

He also noted that unregistered fishermen could apply for registration in December and January, with prior announcements made through public miking.

The Fisheries Ministry and the government had imposed a 22-day nationwide ban from October 4 to October 25 on the harvesting, transportation, storage, marketing, and sale of Hilsa during its main breeding season.

Mongla Coast Guard West Zone sources said personnel from Dubla, Kachikhali, and Kokilmuni Coast Guard camps will ensure the security of fishermen during Hilsa harvesting, in addition to continuing regular operations to curb banditry.