A nationwide ban on catching jatka hilsa begins today, 1 November, to increase hilsa production and ensure its sustainable conservation. The eight-month ban will run until 30 June.

Under the ban, supervised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and implemented by the Department of Fisheries, catching, transporting, marketing, buying, selling and stocking hilsa smaller than 25 centimetres (jatka) is completely prohibited.

Before this, the "Hilsa Conservation Campaign-2025" was carried out from 4 to 25 October 2025 (19 Ashwin to 9 Kartik 1432 of the Bengali calendar) to protect breeding hilsa during the main spawning season. The fry hatched from eggs released by roe-bearing hilsa during that period are now moving through coastal rivers and estuaries. If they can grow safely, the country's hilsa production will rise further in future.

Under the Fish Protection and Conservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 and the Fish Protection and Conservation Rules, 1985, violating the ban is punishable by up to two years' rigorous imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 5 lakh, or both.

The Department of Fisheries will enforce the ban strictly across the country with the help of district and upazila administrations, the Navy, the Coast Guard, the river police, RAB and local law enforcement agencies.

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