Protecting mother hilsa for 22 days will boost production: Adviser Farida

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said hilsa production will increase next season if mother hilsa can be protected during the ongoing 22-day government ban on catching the fish for spawning and breeding.

She made the remarks while speaking to journalists after inaugurating the Central Artificial Insemination Laboratory at the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm in Savar, Dhaka, this afternoon (8 October).

After inspecting the laboratory, the adviser expressed satisfaction and said that proper utilisation of the available facilities would greatly benefit farmers in cattle breeding.

This, she said, would help expand the breeding of improved and hybrid species and increase beef and milk production.

Explaining the rationale behind the Hilsa protection period, Farida Akhter said the timing is determined scientifically, based on the full moon and new moon of the Bangla month of Ashwin.

"Last year, it started on 13 October, and this year on 4 October. If we can successfully implement these 22 days and avoid catching Hilsa during this period, production will increase," she said.

She added that the government provides 25 kilogrammes of rice to fishermen as support during the ban.

"As a result, Hilsa production increased by 52% last year. If we can protect mother Hilsa again for these 22 days, production will rise further," she said.

The adviser also pointed to other causes behind the scarcity of Hilsa, including river navigability loss, pollution, and inadequate rainfall due to climate change.

She mentioned the continued use of illegal nets and the catching of jatka (premature hilsa) as major challenges.

"Although we enforce a 58-day ban on catching jatka in April, with the Coast Guard, Navy, River Police, and our officials working actively, it is unfortunate that some traders still push fishermen to catch them for short-term profit.

"Action is being taken, and I hope the next season will bring good results," she said.