Online Desk:  Fishermen are set to resume Hilsa fishing from Tuesday midnight as a two-month ban on catching, selling and transportation of the national fish will end today.

With a view to boost the production of hilsa, the government imposed the two-month ban on hilsa catching, selling, hoarding and transporting from March 1 till April 30.

The ban covers hilsa sanctuaries in six districts — Barishal, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Bhola, Shariatpur and Patuakhali.

The sanctuaries are 100km in the Meghna River from Chandpur’s Shatnol to Laxmipur’s Char Alexander, 90km in Shahbazpur Channel in Bhola, 100km in Tentulia River in Bhola, 20km in Naria and Bhederganj upazilas in Chandpur district and 82km in Hizla, Mehendiganj and Barishal Sadar upazilas, Gazaria and the Meghna river.

The prohibition, enforced by the district and upazila task forces, aims to preserve the aquatic ecosystem and boost hilsa production.

UNB Chandpur correspondent reports: the fishermen are passing a busy time fixing their nets and trawlers.

Some fishermen including Bahria, Harina, Hanarchar, Raj Rajeshwar, Laxmipur, Malek Sheikh, Saiful Islam, Shafique, Sakib Majhi, Omar Ali, Rahim Gazi and Saddam Hossain said they all are now repairing their nets and boats.

Golam Hasan Mehedi, district fisheries officer, said “Every year, the government imposes a two-month ban from March 1 to April 30 to increase the production of hilsa.

He also expected production of 6 lakh metric tonnes of hilsa this year.

A total of 300 fishermen were sentenced to several term of  jail during this period for violating the order of the government while 50 lakh metre current nets, three metric tonnes of jatka fish and 60 fishing boats were seized during the ban, said Golam Mehedi.

Besides, Tk 10 lakh were realised in fine from the fishermen during this period.

The government also provided 40 kgs of rice to each fishermen under a food assistance programme during the ban period, he said.

Md Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Chandpur river police, said,  the river police was also active to enforce the ban.