The government imposed a 22-day ban on catching, selling, and transporting Ilish, to be implemented from Sunday (Oct 7).

A 7,000km breeding ground is off-limits to guarantee safe spawning of this popular fish during its peak breeding period.

The moratorium will last until Oct 28—as this is the crucial time period for mother ilish to lay their eggs.

Any breach of the ban will result in one to two years imprisonment and a maximum fine of Tk 5,000.

The government has been imposing time bound restrictions on ilish fishing every year, since 2003, to protect mother Ilish.