58-day fishing ban to be imposed in Bay of Bengal from 15 April

The government has taken a decision to impose a 58-day ban on all types of fishing in the Bay of Bengal from 15 April to 11 June to protect marine resources, said Fisheries and Livestock Minster Amin Ur Rashid today (6 April).

The government is committed to increasing sustainable Hilsa production and making the fish affordable for ordinary people and for this the government is implementing timely and practical initiatives to conserve Hilsa and ensure sustainable production, he said while speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat.

Measures include conserving juvenile Hilsa (jatka), banning fishing during designated periods, establishing protected areas and enforcing the Fisheries Conservation Act. These initiatives have steadily increased Hilsa production, which reached 5,00,000 metric tons in the 2024-25 fiscal year, said the minister.

Noting that he challenges such as river filling, climate change, river pollution and rising pressure on fisheries resources make sustaining production a significant challenge, the minister said the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will work inclusively with all stakeholders to address these challenges.

Highlighting Hilsa's cultural and economic significance, the minister said the fish is integral to the nation's culture, traditions, and heritage.

Hilsa contributes about 9.79% to total national fish production and nearly 1% to Bangladesh's GDP. More than 80% of the world's Hilsa comes from Bangladesh's rivers, estuaries and seas, placing the country first among the 11 Hilsa-producing nations.

The fish has also been recognised as a Geographical Indication (GI) product. Nearly 6,00,000 people are directly engaged in Hilsa harvesting, while 20–25 lakh others are involved in transportation, sales, net and boat making, ice production, processing, and export, said the minister.

Regarding Hilsa protection measures, the minister outlined government initiatives including: a fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal from 15 April to 11 June, a 22-day ban during the breeding season, total prohibition of catching, transporting, and selling jatka from 1 November to 30 June, six Hilsa sanctuaries, seasonal fishing restrictions, establishment of 3,188 sq km of marine protected areas, and food and alternative employment support for fishermen.

Projects such as the Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries and Hilsa Resource Development programs are being implemented alongside legal amendments and strict enforcement.

Replying to a question about rising Hilsa prices, the minister said the government's priority is to increase production, which will naturally improve supply and reduce market prices.

However, the government is working to streamline the entire process from production to consumer, he added.