29 fishermen arrested in Meghna for defying ban on hilsa

River police have arrested 29 fishermen for violating a two-month ban on catching hilsa fry (jatka) imposed by the government in the Padma-Meghna river sanctuary area of Chandpur to increase the production of mother hilsa and protect the fry.

Among the arrested fishermen, eight were sentenced to one month's rigorous imprisonment, and 18 others were regularly booked with Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station under the Fisheries Act. Three minors were cautioned and released into the custody of their families.

The arrested fishermen were from Matlab North of Chandpur, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Shariatpur district.

Contacted, Md Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Chandpur River Police Station, said law enforcers conducted a day-long drive in the sanctuary area. "During our operation, we've arrested 29 fishermen for violating the two-month ban on catching jatka," he said.

During the drive, river police seized about 28,56,900 meters of current nets, five fishing boats, and 188 kilogrammes of jatka (hilsa fry less than 9 inches or 23 centimetres in length) from the fishermen.

The government imposed the restriction in the Padma-Meghna sanctuary under Chandpur, Shariatpur, Lakshmipur, Barishal and Bhola districts.

Seventy kilometres sanctuary of Meghna in Sadar, Haimchar, Matlab North, and Matlab South upazilas of Chandpur district are also under the restriction.

Those who violate the ban are subjected to a maximum of two years imprisonment, a fine of Tk 5,000, or both.