A 22-day ban on Hilsha fishing starts across the country from Sunday. Although necessary, the fisherman, fishing trawler owners and fish traders in Bagerhat are frustrated with the ban as they were not able to go fishing in the sea regularly due to the adverse weather earlier.
The affected fishing boat owners and fishermen said after the 65-day ban on fishing from May 20 to July 23, they started fishing at the sea again. However, they were affected by repeated adverse weather and could not catch expected amount of fish. They were forced to return with empty boats after being unable to fish in the rough sea, resulting in significant financial losses.
Now, another 22 day ban on Hilsha fishing starts from October 13 that will last till November 3. This new ban has created tension and frustration among the fishermen and boat owners. During the 150 days of Hilsha fishing season, there is a ban on the first 65 days and later, there is a 22 day ban as well. The Department of Fisheries is actively working to ensure the ban.
Mother Hilsa migrates upstream to shallow waters for breeding and lays eggs there. A large female Hilsa can lay up to 2 million eggs. The peak spawning occurs in the months of September and October. Because of that, there is a ban during this time for the conservation of Hilsha and fisherman are prohibited even from throwing fishnets in the water.
Abul Hossain, president of the Sharankhola Fishing Trawler Owners Association, said that sending fishing boats to the sea incurs a cost of at least three to four lakh taka for each boat. This year, due to the sea weather being bad nine times, fishermen have been unable to catch fish, resulting in significant losses and putting the fishermen in financial distress. Every year, after the 65-day ban, fishermen repeatedly face natural disasters when they go to sea. Abul Hossain mentioned that with the news of another 22-day ban following the 65-day prohibition, there is a sense of despair and anxiety among the unemployed fishermen.
Md Dulal Faraji, president of Bagerhat district Jatiyotabadi Motshojibi Dal , said that due to several disasters following the 65-day ban, fishermen have been unable to catch Hilsa and are facing various hardships along with their families. With the announcement of another 22-day ban, fishermen are anxious. He urged the government to enhance the facilities for fishermen during the ban period.
Md Anwar Hossain, owner of the fishing boat 'FB Tanjira' from Sharankhola, and Elias Hossain, a fisherman from the Boga area of Bagerhat, stated that after the 65-day ban, they have gone to the sea to fish nine times but have not been able to catch anything due to bad weather, resulting in losses each time.
Golam Mustafa Chowdhury, president of the Bagerhat District Fishing Trawler Owners Association, said that the fishermen along the coast are not doing well. Due to the web of fishing bans and natural disasters, this year the fishermen have faced irreparable losses. Supporting the 22-day ban to protect mother hilsa, he urged the government to reduce the duration of the 65-day ban and align it with India by imposing the ban at the same time.
Bagerhat District Fisheries Officer ASM Rasel said a 22-day hilsa ban has been declared to ensure the spawning of hilsa and the protection of mother hilsa. During the ban period, catching, selling, transporting, and stockpiling hilsa across the country is legally punishable. To prevent anyone from illegally catching hilsa, the fisheries department, along with the police, coast guard, and navy, will continue their operations in the rivers and the sea.
