Two-month fishing ban crackdown nets 28 jail terms, Tk 4.6m in fines

Another 3,502 drives are conducted during the nationwide anti-fishing crackdown

A nationwide enforcement campaign during the government's 58-day fishing ban has led to 26 jail terms and nearly Tk 4.6 million in fines.

In a media statement on Monday, the fisheries and livestock ministry said 58 mobile courts and another 3,502 drives were conducted over the period.

The mobile court operations led to 48 cases being filed, with 26 fishermen sentenced to varying jail terms.

Authorities also seized 1,190.6 tonnes of fish and 543.47 million metres of illegal nets.

According to the ministry, Tk 6.15 million earned from auctions during and after the operations has been deposited into the government treasury.

The ban was imposed to ensure the sustainable growth of marine resources, following “Jatka Preservation Week”, which aimed to protect juvenile hilsa and boost the production of the national fish.

Sixty-seven coastal Upazilas in 14 coastal districts across the Chattogram, Barishal and Khulna divisions, as well as Chattogram city were under the crackdown.