Eight-month ban on jatka fishing begins at midnight

An eight-month ban on catching jatka (juvenile hilsa) in rivers and the sea will come into effect at midnight on Saturday, October 31, to boost hilsa production and ensure the sustainable conservation of the fish.

The ban will remain in force until June 30, 2027.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the decision in a press release issued on Saturday and signed by its Senior Information Officer, Md Mamun Hasan.

Under the ban, catching, transporting, marketing, buying, selling and storing hilsa measuring less than 25 centimetres will be prohibited. The restriction will be enforced under the supervision of the ministry and implemented by the Department of Fisheries.

Earlier, the government conducted the 'Mother Hilsa Conservation Drive 2026' from October 8 to 29 (23 Ashwin to 13 Kartik 1432 in the Bangla calendar) to protect mature hilsa during their peak breeding season.

Following the hatching of eggs released by mature hilsa during the breeding season, juvenile hilsa are now moving through the country's coastal rivers and estuaries. These juveniles remain in such habitats for five to eight months during their early stages of development.

Protecting juvenile hilsa during this critical period is essential to ensuring their safe growth and increasing the country's future hilsa production, the ministry said.

Under the Fish Protection and Conservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, and the Fish Protection and Conservation Rules, 1985, anyone violating the ban may face up to two years of rigorous imprisonment, a fine of up to 500,000 taka, or both.

The Department of Fisheries will strictly enforce the restriction across the country with the assistance of district and upazila administrations, the Bangladesh Navy, Coast Guard, river police, the Special Response Battalion (SRB) and local law enforcement agencies.