BSS, Dhaka :
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Saidul Haque Monday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given a direction to keep close watch so that no one could catch egg bearing mother-Hilsha fishes during 5-15 October to help boost Hilsha production.
“The government already imposed an 11-day Hilsha fish catching ban in the country for increasing the total output of the fish by protecting the mother fishes,” he told journalists prior to a meeting at his ministry conference room here today.
The meeting was held to ensure the government efforts for protecting mother Hilsha fishes with minister in the chair, while state minister Narayan Chandra Chanda was present. Secretray of the ministry Dr Selina Afroza, joint secretary Anisur Rahman, representatives of Bangladesh Navy, Boarder Guard Bangladesh, Naval Police, Bangladesh Coast Guard and officials concerned were present.
The minister said under the programme, catching, transportation, marketing, sales and hoarding of Hilshas are strictly prohibited during the particular period across the country.
He called upon all media to create awareness among common people about catching of mother Hilsha so that no one could catch egg bearing mother-fishes.
“We have conducted 704 mobile courts and sent 565 people into jail for catching mother Hilsha fishes and seized 20.912 metric tonnes of Hilsha fishes,” Saidul added.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given instruction to keep vigilance at Karnaphuli river confluence for seizing mother Hilsha fishes and arrest fishermen who net mother Hilsha fishes from deep sea during the restricted period.
Besides, he said the government is giving incentive to fishermen so that they can survive. The ministry is fulfilling three fundamental demands including providing protein, generating employment at grass root level and alleviation of poverty across the country, Saidul added.
Representative of Bangladesh Navy said they have patrolled with aircraft in the deep sea, but no fishing trawlers were visible for catching Hilsha fishes.
