DHAKA, June 15, 2026 (BSS) - The government successfully enforced a 58-day 
ban on all types of fishing in marine waters from April 15 to June 11, 2026 
to ensure proper breeding and production of fish, conserve marine fishery 
resources, and promote sustainable fishing in Bangladesh's maritime waters.

To ensure food security for fishermen during the ban, the government 
distributed a total of 24,165.625 metric tons of VGF (Vulnerable Group 
Feeding) rice over the 58-day period, said an official release here today. 

The ban covered 67 upazilas in 14 coastal districts under the Chattogram, 
Barishal, and Khulna divisions as well as Chattogram Metropolitan Area.

During the ban period, authorities organised 60 Task Force Committee 
meetings, 260 awareness programs, installed 12,678 banners and posters, and 
distributed 68,075 leaflets across the 14 coastal districts and relevant 
upazilas. 

Commercial fishing trawlers were prohibited from going to sea, and controlled 
ice production was ensured at ice plants. 

In addition, divisional monitoring committees were formed, and a control room 
was established at the headquarters of the Department of Fisheries.

The assistance was provided to 312,500 fishing families in 69 upazilas across 
the 14 districts, with each family receiving 40 kilograms of rice per month. 
An additional Taka 60,41,406 lakh was allocated to cover transportation 
costs.

During the same period, 3,502 enforcement operations and 58 mobile court 
drives were conducted through coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies 
and relevant departments. 

Authorities inspected 2,438 fish landing centers, 9,151 fish markets, 17,585 
wholesale fish depots, and 16,494 local markets.

As a result of these operations, authorities seized 1,190.60 metric tons of 
fish and 54.347 million meters of illegal fishing nets.
 
A total of 48 cases were filed, Taka 4.5946 million in fines was collected, 
and 26 fishermen were sentenced to imprisonment. 

Additionally, Taka 6.1506 million generated from public auctions was 
deposited into the government treasury. 

Enforcement activities were comparatively higher in the Chattogram and 
Barishal divisions due to the larger number of fishermen and mechanized 
fishing vessels operating in those regions.

The fishing ban was effectively implemented through coordinated efforts 
involving the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Department of 
Fisheries, the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), the Naval Police, district 
administrations, and other law enforcement agencies.

Such science-based fisheries management measures are expected to play an 
important role in increasing fish breeding and stock levels, ensuring the 
sustainable development of Bangladesh's marine fisheries resources, 
conserving biodiversity, and improving the long-term economic well-being of 
fishermen.