'If India makes a mistake, we won't': Fisheries Adviser Farida on hilsa fishing ban timing

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said Bangladesh will not repeat India's "mistakes" in setting the timing of the annual hilsa fishing ban, stressing that Bangladesh's measures are carefully designed to protect the country's most prized fish stock while balancing the livelihoods of fishermen.

She made the comment in reference to the difference in the ban periods imposed by India and Bangladesh on hilsa fishing for the protection of egg-laying hilsa.

She was speaking to reporters as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the "Annual Research Review Workshop 2025", organised by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) on 22 October, to review the results and progress of research conducted in the 2024–2025 fiscal year.

"If India makes a mistake, we won't. The ban period we determine is based on the full moon of the Bengali month Ashwin—starting four days before the full moon. We then impose a total 22-day ban," the advisor stated.

"Now, hilsa don't lay eggs based on the calendar date—they follow lunar phases like the full moon, new moon, etc. If India is basing their timing on other considerations, we don't want to comment on that. But our decision is based on research by scientists and the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI). Fisher representatives were also present in the meeting where we set the date," she added.

"We are getting reports that fishermen from India are crossing over during the time our fishermen can't go to the rivers and seas because of the ban. I have informed the Coast Guard and others, and they've assured me that they are taking immediate action," the advisor said.

"So far, such incidents are not happening on a large scale. And such intrusion doesn't happen because of the difference in ban periods only. They are doing this unlawfully—and such incidents can happen at any time. We as a state strongly protest this, and we are taking steps to address it."

On reports of illegal hilsa markets operating despite the ban the adviser said: "Our fisheries officers are risking their lives going out there and trying to stop this."

She pointed out the lack of awareness, saying: "If only we understood that protecting egg-laying hilsa (mother hilsa) would lead to greater yield of the fish in the future—meaning, if I accept a little pain for 22 days, I'll get more fish later, and my income will increase."

However, she also admitted that the government has fallen short in fully supporting the fishermen during the ban period.

"We have around 7,00,000 fishermen who catch hilsa. We haven't been able to distribute rice to all of them yet—we've reached about 6,20,000. So some are being left out and saying they can't survive, and that's why they're violating the ban.

"We admit this lacking on our part. We will take two steps in the future—increase the number of fishermen receiving support, and increase the amount of support provided," she mentioned.

With regard to high animal feed prices the advisor noted that the prices of eggs and meat cannot be lowered unless that of animal feed is reduced. 

 "There are several large producers in the market, as well as small ones. The sector is a bit unregulated. I think high tariffs on imported items push up the price. That's the explanation given by some importers. But I also think there is a lack of regulation. We are planning to discuss this at the policy level, because if we can't bring down feed prices, we won't be able to reduce the prices of meat or eggs."

She also emphasised the need for stricter quality control in the feed industry: "Whether it's animal feed, poultry feed, or fish feed—it must be safe. Monitoring is being done, including by the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), but violations are still happening. So we believe it's time to bring this sector under strict regulation."