Bans on Hilsha catch for 15 days 

The government has imposed a 15-day ban on the catching of Hilsa fish starting from Sep 25.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 27 August 2015, 08:45 AM
Updated : 27 August 2015, 08:45 AM

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque told reporters about the decision, which is timed to coincide with the spawning season of the fish, on Saturday. 
 
The yearly ban, which used to be for 11 days, has been increased to 15 days this year. 
 
Ministry officials said that in previous years the ban period was calculated according to five days before and five days after the full moon in the Bangla calendar month of Ashwin (Sep 16 to Oct 15).
 
But it was noted that fishes, which return to the sea after breeding in fresh waters, often got caught by fishermen even after the expiry of the prohibition, said Joint Secretary Anisur Rahman. 
 
All sale and stocking of Hilsa will be prohibited during the ban, which ends on Oct 9.
 
Offenders would be jailed for one to six months with a minimum fine of Tk 1000.
 
Currently, around 7,000 square kilometres of water bodies in Bangladesh are considered to be the breeding ground of the Hilsha.