The 22-day government ban on catching jatka and brood hilsa in the Meghna River of Ramgati and Komolnagar upazilas under Lakshmipur district will end at midnight tonight (Saturday). Fishermen across the region are preparing to return to the river as the restriction is lifted.
The fishing ban, which began on October 3 at midnight, aimed to protect mother hilsa during the peak breeding season. While most fishermen refrained from fishing, reports suggest that some continued to catch hilsa illegally in several spots along the Meghna, including Boyarchar Bridgeghat, Ramgati Bazar Ghat, and Gabtoli Ghat. Allegations have also surfaced that river police assisted a few groups in illegal fishing during the ban period.
As the restriction nears its end, fishermen in both upazilas are now busy repairing nets and boats, cleaning fish depots along the riverside, and getting ready to cast their nets again. A visit to several fishing villages in Ramgati and Komolnagar found fishermen working tirelessly to prepare for their return to the river.
According to the Upazila Fisheries Office, there are 14,098 registered fishermen in Komolnagar and 20,360 in Ramgati, totaling 34,458 in the two coastal upazilas.
Rabiu Maji, a fisherman from Alexander Fish Ghat, said this year’s ban was less strictly enforced compared to previous years. “Many fishermen managed to catch hilsa despite the restriction,” he said. “Those of us who obeyed the rules had to borrow money from local lenders or NGOs at high interest rates just to feed our families.”
Mofiz Maji, a fisherman from Bibirhat Ucchkhali Ghat, shared his hardship: “It was very difficult to run my household during these 22 days. The government provided a small amount of rice, but that wasn’t enough for my family of nine. Now that the ban is over, we’re relieved and hopeful.”
Another fisherman, Nizam Uddin from Lodhua Fish Ghat, said he took a loan of Tk 20,000 from an NGO at high interest to survive during the ban. “I have three small children, my wife, and mother depending on me. Now I must return to the river, catch fish, and repay my debt,” he said.
According to fisheries officials, the ban covered a 100-kilometer stretch of the Meghna River—from Alexander in Ramgati to Shatnol in Chandpur—declared as a hilsa sanctuary by the government. During the restriction period, catching, transporting, trading, or storing hilsa was strictly prohibited in these areas.
Komolnagar Upazila Fisheries Officer Turjo Saha and Ramgati Upazila Fisheries Officer Md. Sourav-uz-Zaman said the 22-day ban concluded successfully. “Joint operations were conducted daily by the Fisheries Department, local administration, river police, and Coast Guard to ensure compliance,” they stated.
