Mobile courts on Thursday sentenced nine fishermen to different jail terms after 16 were arrested for catching jatka in violation of restrictions in the Padma-Meghna river sanctuary area of Chandpur Sadar upazila.
The remaining seven detainees, all minors, were released after giving undertakings, officials said.
The operation was conducted from 12pm to 5pm in several areas of the sanctuary, including Baharia, Lakshmipur, Dokanghar, Rajrajeshwar and nearby locations, said Chandpur Sadar Upazila Assistant Fisheries Officer Md Mizanur Rahman.
He said the joint task force arrested the fishermen for illegally catching jatka (juvenile hilsa) during the ongoing ban period.
During the drive, authorities seized four engine-powered wooden fishing boats, one large behundi net and about 10,000 metres of current nets. The seized nets were later destroyed by burning at the Chandpur Coast Guard station.
Officials said the joint operation was conducted by the district administration, fisheries department, Coast Guard and naval police.
Mobile court proceedings at the Coast Guard station were conducted by Executive Magistrate Tanvir Rabbani.
The court sentenced two fishermen to three months’ imprisonment and fined them Tk 500 each, three others to one month’s imprisonment and Tk 500 each, another three to 15 days’ imprisonment and Tk 200 each, and one person to 15 days’ imprisonment and Tk 500 fine.