Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The government is going to impose an 11-day Hilsha fish catching ban in the country from Tuesday for increasing the total output of the fish through protecting the mother fishes.
Under the program, catching, transportation, marketing, sales and hoarding of Hilsha are strictly prohibited across the country during September 25-October 5, said a top official of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MOFL), Uzzal Bikash Dutta, at a press conference at the Department of Fisheries (DoF) in the capital Dhaka on Monday.
Mr. Dutta said though Hilsha fishes are netted round the year around 60-65 per cent is being caught during the month of September-October as a huge number of spawning Hilshas usually come to the river estuaries for laying their eggs at that time.
The government has formed a five-member central co-ordination cell at the Department of Fisheries in this connection. The cell is headed by director (marine) Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun as the convener.
Besides, the government also has circulated a gazette notification on September 9 under the 'Protection and Conservation of Fish Rules 1985'.
Under the rule, the government has restricted catching of all kind of fishes including Hilsha for a particular period across the country including the four coastal Hilsha breeding spots with an area of 7,000 square kilometers.
To implement the programme, the government has already formed a central coordination cell, divisional monitoring team and a control room at the fisheries department. The Navy, Coast Guard, RAB, police and the local administrations will conduct combined operation during the period.
BBN/SSR/AD-24Sept12-2:40 pm (BST)
