Bangladesh Navy is running drives at sea, in coastal areas and in river basins to conserve hilsa, a national resource, prevent the killing of jatka (young hilsa) and ensure sustainable management of fisheries. Under the 'Jatka Protection Programme-2026', the navy has so far conducted 716 drives in the country's sea and coastal areas, seizing about 3,44,45,745 metres of illegal nets worth an estimated Tk 517,44,42,710.

Surveillance from the air by maritime patrol aircraft is also continuing, to stop any local or foreign vessel from fishing during the ban period.

The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) gave the information in a press release on Thursday (14 May).

According to ISPR, the navy has been engaged in the 'Jatka Protection Programme-2026' since 15 February and in enforcing the '58-day ban on all fishing in the Bay of Bengal' since 15 April. Strong patrols, intelligence surveillance and special drives are continuing in coastal districts and key fishing areas.

The drives under the jatka programme were carried out in nine districts, including Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Chandpur, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur and Barguna. Large quantities of illegal nets were recovered, including current nets, mosquito nets, China duari nets, thread nets and barrier nets.

In addition, a total of 882 banned nets, including behundi nets, tong nets and China rings, and 37 kg of jatka were seized. Awareness activities are also encouraging fishers to fish by lawful means, conserve mother hilsa and jatka, and protect marine biodiversity.

ISPR said the navy is working tirelessly to enforce the government's 58-day marine fishing ban, aimed at conserving marine fish stocks, ensuring safe breeding and sustainable fisheries management. Three navy warships have been deployed in the Bay of Bengal since 15 April. Alongside regular patrols by these ships, boats and craft, air surveillance by maritime patrol aircraft continues as needed so that no local or foreign vessel can fish during the ban.

The navy is on high alert and keeping round-the-clock watch to stop illegal fishers entering the deep sea. As part of enforcing the ban, 120 drives in the Bay of Bengal seized illegal nets and jatka worth an estimated Tk 31.30 lakh. These included about 26,500 metres of current, mosquito, China duari, thread and barrier nets, and a total of 48 banned behundi, tong and China ring nets. The seized nets were destroyed in the presence of the local administration and the jatka was distributed to local orphanages. The government's 58-day ban will remain in force until 11 June.

According to ISPR, the navy's prompt and coordinated action has significantly reduced the use of illegal nets and the killing of jatka in coastal areas. Regular patrols and special drives have built effective resistance against unscrupulous groups and increased awareness among fishers of fishing within the law, with positive effects on hilsa production, biodiversity, the coastal economy and fishers' livelihoods.

In recognition of its contribution to conserving mother hilsa and developing the country's fisheries, Bangladesh Navy has received the 'National Fisheries Award-2025'.

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