Government announces 22-day fishing ban to protect female hilsa from Oct 4

The decision has been taken based on the breeding period of the female hilsa

The government has set a 22-day ban from Oct 4 to 25 to protect female hilsa during their breeding season.

Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhter announced that during this period, the catching, transportation, sale, and storage of hilsa will be strictly prohibited.

At a press conference on Monday, Farida discussed the “Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025” and touched on issues related to hilsa availability, pricing, harvest trends, and exports.

“This decision is based on scientific grounds and considers the breeding timeline of female hilsa. The exact dates were determined following advice from the Department of Fisheries, BFRI, and the fishermen themselves,” she said.

The breeding season for hilsa runs from Oct 4 to 25, incorporating the critical days before the full moon and after the new moon.

“Both the full moon and new moon are crucial for egg laying, so we’ve included these phases to maximise spawning,” Farida said.

The government will also support 620,140 fishing families across 165 Upazilas by distributing 25kg of rice to each family under the VGF programme, requiring a total of 15,503.50 metric tonnes of rice.