The district administration in Barishal held a river drill to protect mother hilsa during the breeding season. The drill took place on the Kirtankhola river at 11am on Sunday (13 October).

Deputy commissioner Delwar Hossain, who led the drive, said the ban to protect mother hilsa began at midnight on 13 October and would run until 3 November, with hilsa fishing banned for these 22 days. "We must all make an effort to protect mother hilsa during the 22 days of the ban. No nets may be cast in the river. For this, rice has already been distributed among genuine fishers," he said.

Department of Fisheries officer Bimal Chandra Das said 56,700 fishers would be given rice during the ban, 25 kg each. More than 16,500 have already received rice, and the rest will get it within the next two to four days, he said.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.