Photo: Collected

CHANDPUR, April 25, 2026 (BSS) - The government has extended its support to 8,500 fishermen in the jatka-prone areas of the district by providing special food assistance as part of the ongoing efforts to conserve Hilsa fry. 

This initiative follows the fishermen's compliance with the two-month ban on jatka fishing in March and April, aimed at preserving the future generations of the prized Hilsa fish.

Mirza Omar Faruk, Senior Fisheries Officer of Sadar Upazila, confirmed the development today, stating that this year, in addition to the regular food aid, the government is offering an enhanced package to the fishermen of the Padma-Meghna sanctuary areas.

For the past several years, the government has distributed 160 kg of rice (40 kg per month for four months) to fishermen who voluntarily refrain from catching jatka, the juvenile Hilsa fish, during the annual conservation ban. 

This year, however, there is a special food assistance allocation for the 8,500 fishermen of the Meghna coastal areas.

In total, there are over 500,000 registered fishermen in the district, with more than 39,400 fishermen receiving the rice allocation under the jatka conservation program. 

The first installment for this year has already been distributed, and the second installment is currently being handed out in Sadar upazila.

The new food assistance package, part of the Hilsa Resource Development and Management Project, goes beyond rice and includes essential items to help sustain the families of these fishermen. 

Along with the rice, the fishermen will receive 10 liters of soybeans, 12 kg of flour, 16 kg of potatoes, 4 kg of sugar, 4 kg of salt, and 8 kg of lentils.

The move comes after repeated requests from fishermen in the Meghna coastal areas, who have been highlighting that a mere 40 kg of rice per month is insufficient to feed their families. 

In response to their plea, the government has adjusted the food assistance package to better meet the needs of these vulnerable fishing communities.

The distribution of the special food aid is expected to be completed by the end of April, ensuring that these fishermen, who have played a vital role in the conservation of jatka, are supported during the ban and beyond.