River Police have arrested 35 fishermen for violating the 22-day hilsa-catching ban imposed by the government.
The ban was imposed in the Padma-Meghna river sanctuary area of Chandpur to ensure the safe spawning of the national fish of Bangladesh during its peak breeding period.
Also read: 22-day hilsa fishing ban begins at midnight
The arrestee fishermen are from Chandpur Sadar upazila and adjoining upazilas, chars, and remote areas.
During the arrest, river police seized about 20,00,000 metres of current nets, seven fishing boats, and 105 kg of hilsha from the fishermen.
Also read: 22-day ban on hilsa fishing begins tomorrow
Md Kamruzzaman, officer-in-charge of Chandpur River Police Station, said law enforcers conducted a day-long operation (from 12:00 am to 5:00 pm) on Monday in the sanctuary area to protect mother hilsas and arrested 35 fishermen.
“Seven regular cases are being filed against the arrestees,” said the officer.
Also read: Hilsa price high due to profit-mongers’ greed: Fisheries Minister
Earlier, on midnight Thursday, the government imposed a 22-day ban on catching hilsa fishing across the country.
The ban will remain in place until November 2.
Fishermen will not be allowed to catch fish in the Padma-Meghna sanctuary from Shatnal in Matlab Uttar to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar upazila of Chandpur district.
END/UNB/Corr/JHR//MB