Photo: BSS

LAKSHMIPUR, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS) – The government has imposed a two-month ban on catching all types of fish in the Meghna River from March 1 to April 30 in a bid to conserve jatka and boost hilsa production.

During this period, catching, transporting, marketing and storing of all types of hilsa will remain prohibited while ice mills will also remain closed.

During the ban period, each fisherman will receive 160 kilograms of VGF rice over four months, including the restriction period.

Fisheries officials said coordinated drives will be conducted daily in the river by the fisheries department, upazila and district administrations, police and the Coast Guard to enforce the ban.

According to the district fisheries office and fishermen, there are 52,000 fishermen in the district, of whom 43,000 are registered.

A 100-kilometre stretch of the river from Alexander in Ramgati upazila of Lakshmipur to Shatnol in Chandpur has been declared a hilsa sanctuary.

The district administration and the district fisheries department have continued awareness campaigns, including miking and poster distribution, in river and coastal areas to inform fishermen about the restrictions.

Fishermen Kalam, Mintu and Sharif Hossain of Mozu Chowdhury’s Hat said although there are provisions for the rehabilitation of fishermen, those have not yet been implemented. They alleged that the number of fishermen exceeds the amount of government food assistance allocated.

They demanded proper distribution of the allocated rice among fishermen based on an accurate list, without any irregularities, during the ban period.

Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md Mahamudul Hasan Chowdhury said joint drives would be conducted daily by the fisheries department, upazila and district administrations, police and the Coast Guard to enforce the two-month ban.

Legal action, including imprisonment and fines, will be taken against those who violate the restriction, he said, adding that action would be taken against anyone defying the law.

Deputy Commissioner SM Mehdi Hasan said a taskforce coordination committee, led by the district and upazila administrations, is working to implement the two-month ban to conserve jatka and increase hilsa production.

He added that legal action would be taken if any irregularities are found in the distribution of VGF rice.