Restrictions on Hilsa catching around the year to safeguard national fish

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Shafiqul Islam
Published : 07:30, Jun 05, 2019 | Updated : 00:48, Jun 06, 2019

HilshaAround the year, there are several times when there’s a government moratorium on catching Hilsa. During spawning, the period is 22 days, 240 days for the fish to get big and 65 days to preserve fish stocks in the ocean – in total, there’s a restriction for 328 days. On top, the ministry of fisheries and livestock has imposed a special restriction on catching Ilish at the sanctuaries.
But, it’s believed that some fishermen deceive the law and catch fish at sea.
During spawning, there is a 22-day ban on catching ilish followed by the long moratorium to allow the fries to grow. This period lasts for 8 months 240 days.
During this time, there is a ban on catching fries but no restriction on catching big sized Hilsa.
At this time, the department of fisheries takes wide programmes to preserve fries.
The third restriction is from May 20 till Jul 23, a period of 65 days when all fishing is banned at the Bay of Bengal.
This is because from end May till July is the spawning season for a variety of fishes.
To increase/protect fish stock at the Bay of Bengal, ministry of fisheries has imposed 65-day ban on fish catching at the Bay of Bengal.
This ban includes shrimps, crabs and other crustaceans.
A restriction was also imposed on the catching of fish from six sanctuaries of the country from Mar 1 till Apr 30. After the long ban, fisherman have started to catch Hilsa from midnight Apr 30.
State minister for fisheries and livestock, Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, said: “Ilish is our national asset; currently, the production is more than 500,000 metric tonnes; so, the government has taken a programme to safeguard the national fish. Fishermen who cannot fish during the restriction are issued VGF cards for a wide range of facilities.”

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