The government has imposed a 22-day ban, starting October 7, on catching, selling and transporting hilsa in a 7,000-km breeding ground to ensure the safe spawning of this popular fish during its peak breeding period.

The decision was made at a meeting of the National Taskforce formed to implement the “Mother Hilsa Protection Campaign 2018” held yesterday with Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda in the chair, said a PID handout.

The objective of the restriction is to save mother hilsa which lays eggs during the period.

There will be a ban on catching of all kinds of fish in the rivers of 37 districts during the time, the handout said.

At the meeting, the minister urged all, including fishermen and fishermen's associations, to help make the countrywide programme a success.