Joint forces and the fisheries department have seized 400 kg of hilsa being transported along a branch of the Meghna in defiance of the government ban. Three trawlers used to carry the fish were also seized.

The drive took place on Saturday, 11 October, on a branch river of the Meghna in the Machhuakhali area of Kodalpur union, Gosairhat upazila, Shariatpur.

According to the Gosairhat upazila fisheries office, the upazila administration, army and police ran the joint drive on information that some unscrupulous fishermen were transporting hilsa in Machhuakhali in breach of the government's 22-day ban, imposed during the breeding season to boost production. The three trawlers were seized with 400 kg of hilsa. The fishermen fled on sensing the presence of the administration. The seized hilsa was later distributed to orphanages and madrasas.

Gosairhat senior upazila fisheries officer Abul Kashem Nirob said the three seized trawlers are in the custody of the fisheries department.

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