The 22-day fishing ban on catching hilsa in rivers has finally ended at midnight, offering much-needed relief to thousands of fishermen in southern districts who have faced significant hardship during this restricted period. Officials from the Fisheries Department confirmed that the seasonal ban, aimed at protecting hilsa spawning, was successfully implemented across the region.
In Shibpur village, located within Bhola Sadar upazila, excitement was palpable as fishermen prepared their nets and boats, eager to return to the waters. “We have been waiting for this day for weeks, and tomorrow, we finally go back,” shared a fisherman from the village, voicing the anticipation shared by at least 10,000 others in the area.
A similar scene unfolded in the fishing zones of Cox’s Bazar, where an estimated 50,000 fishermen made final preparations to head out to sea. However, the community has not been without challenges.
In Bhola, a major migratory path for hilsa, the harvest target between July and September had been set at 1.85 lakh tonnes, but only 38,367 tonnes were caught, according to data from the Barishal Divisional Fisheries Office. Although the fishing ban saw stronger enforcement and greater monitoring than in previous years, officials noted a reduced migration of hilsa, potentially impacting egg release levels. The Fisheries Office reported that a more comprehensive analysis in the coming days would reveal the ban’s full impact on hilsa populations.
During the ban period, the government distributed a total of 3,19,830 tonnes of rice to over 4.21 lakh registered fishermen in Barishal division through the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program, aimed at helping families cope with the temporary loss of income. With the ban now lifted, fishermen across the southern districts hope this season brings a productive catch and better fortunes ahead.
