The government of Bangladesh is going to impose a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing from tomorrow (October 12). Hilsa catching, selling and transportation will remain prohibited during the period to ensure the safe spawning of the national fish of Bangladesh during its peak breeding period. The ban will remain in place till November 2. On September 20, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim announced the 22-day ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa at a meeting of the National Task Force Committee on Hilsa Resource Development at the conference room of the Fisheries Department at Matsya Bhaban in Dhaka. Delay ban on catching hilsa by a month: Barishal fishing community The objective of the restrictions on fishing is to protect the mother hilsa which lay eggs during the period, he said. Hilsa makes the highest contribution to the country’s fish output as a single fish species. Recognized as a certified patented product of Bangladesh, the fish swim to rivers to lay eggs. Hilsa is very popular both in Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. About 75 percent of the world's hilsa is netted in Bangladesh. Govt allows 3,950 tonnes of Hilsa export to India ahead of Durga Puja Chandpur is considered one of the largest trading hubs of hilsa in Bangladesh as the fish from the Padma River is more popular than the ones that come from other rivers because of its distinct taste. 22-day ban on hilsa fishing to begin on Oct 12: Fisheries Minister

The government will allow the import of eggs after consultation with the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry if the price of eggs does not come down, said Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Sunday (August 13, 2023). “If the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock fixes the price for eggs it can be controlled through drives conducted by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection,” he said while talking to reporters after attending a programme at Mohammadpur Town Hall in the city. At Tk 150 per dozen in Dhaka markets, eggs not an affordable protein source any more As price of eggs soars abnormally the members of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection are conducting drives in different wholesale markets in the city and realising fines, he said. “Importing eggs is not under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Ministry and the permission from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock is needed for import. A decision regarding import of eggs will be known soon after getting green signal from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock,” he said. Hike in egg price: Consumer Rights Protection body realises Tk 10,000 in fine in Faridpur Talking about the price of sugar, Tipu said, “Alongside importing sugar from the international markets, we are also procuring sugar from the local markets to meet the demand due to delay in arrival of sugar-laden ships or unloading complexities.” Replying to a question about importing essential goods from India through quota, the minister said a decision will be taken in this regard as he is going to India this month and will meet the commerce minister of India. Broiler chicken now selling at Tk 230 per kg, egg price down

Hundreds of cattle in Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet district have contracted lumpy skin disease — causing grave concern among farmers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Some 300 cows infected with lumpy skin disease have died in the upazila; cattle farmers and those who rear cows at home are facing huge losses as a result. Sources said, the viral disease has been noticed in most cattle farms in the upazila. Cattle farmers are particularly worried considering the Eid-ul-Azha season, as they have been rearing the animals for the occasion. Due to the outbreak of the virus, no cattle market has been set up in the upazila. Cattle farmers worry over spread of lumpy skin disease The viral disease is being noticed in Laxmiprashad West, Laxmiprashad East, Dighirpar East, Satbak and the municipality area. The veterinarians in the Upazila Livestock Hospital are struggling to provide medical treatment to the cattle. Talking to owners and farmers of different cattle farms, UNB’s Sylhet correspondent learnt that lumpy skin disease had spread in the area two and a half months ago. At first, small lumps were seen on the cows and later the lumps were swollen. At one stage, reddish holes appeared on the cows’ skin, the farmers described. Workshop discusses measures to prevent lumpy skin disease The infected cows cannot be fed properly as their throats also swell up, they added. Most of the infected cows die due to gradual weakening. It is a highly contagious virus, but the affected cattle can be cured after a few months of proper treatment. Dr. Nabanita Sarkar Tonni, in-charge of Kanaighat Upazila Livestock Hospital, said most of the cattle in the locality are being infected with the virus and there is no vaccine and medicine for its treatment. Lumpy skin disease causes concern for Faridpur cattle farmers The authorities concerned of the hospital have already circulated leaflets and made announcements about the outbreak of lumpy skin disease. A meeting has also been arranged in each union with farmers and farm owners over the issue, she said. “Despite manpower shortage, we are providing treatment to the infected cattle. It takes 3-4 months for the cows to be fully cured and the farmers have been asked to have patience,” she added. Dr Nabanita also advised the farmers to keep their cows under nets, so that the virus is not spread to healthy animals. The Fisheries and Livestock Ministry suggested checking mosquito breeding in farm areas and using antipyretic, antibiotic and antihistamine from registered veterinarians to control the disease. Read more: Eid-ul-Azha 2023: 1,76,690 sacrificial animals ready in Chapainawabganj

Authorities on Wednesday said no one would be allowed to import, culture, transport, sell, supply or conserve suckermouth catfish anymore in Bangladesh. In a gazette notification, the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry announced the decision signed by its Deputy Secretary Mrinal Kanti Dey, according to a press release. The release said the decision to ban the two varieties of the fish was taken following the ‘Protection and Conservation of Fish Act-1950’. Read more: Govt bans fishing in Bay of Bengal for 65 days “No person shall import, breed, culture, carry, sell, receive or take, market, stock, expose and possess any species of fish of Sucker mouth catfish and Clarias gariepinus, locally known as African Magur,” it added.

A total of 99,50,763 cattle have been sacrificed across the country on Eid-ul-Azha this year. Fisheries and Livestock Ministry issued a press release in this regard on Monday. More than 24.91 lakh sacrificial animals including over 11.67 lakh cows, buffaloes, were slaughtered in Dhaka division. Read:Wastes of sacrificial animals to be removed from 2:00pm: Taposh More than 21.28 lakh sacrificial animals including over 13.13 lakh cows, buffaloes, were slaughtered in Chattogram division. Besides, 19.98 lakh sacrificial animals were slaughtered in Rajshahi division while 11.38 lakh in Rangpur, 9.26 lakh in Khulna, 4.98 in Barishal, 3.92 in Sylhet and 3.75 lakh in Mymensingh divisions. Last year, more than 90.93 lakh cattle were sacrificed, around 8.57 lakh down from this year.

A 22-day ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa will begin on Sunday midnight with a view to ensure the safe spawning of the popular fish during its peak breeding period. The ban will remain in place till October 25. Read:Durga Puja: 23 tonnes of Hilsa sent to India through Benapole Earlier on September 22, the Bangladesh government imposed a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing from October 4. The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Task Force with Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim in the chair, the government said in a release. During the meeting, the Minister said that the government would take strict action against those "involved in harming the national interest of the country". He also urged people to make the ban a success. Read: Govt to consult experts to boost Hilsa production: Dipu Moni The objective of the restrictions on fishing from October 4 to October 25 is to save the mother hilsa which lays eggs during the period. At the meeting, the Minister also urged all, including fishermen and their associations, to help make the countrywide programme a success.

The government has drafted the national marine fisheries policy for the sustainable conservation, management and extraction of marine fish in the country’s vast sea areas.

The fisheries and livestock ministry has upgraded the salary scale of 234 fisheries department employees of six categories.

Mobile courts conducted to preserve Hilsa seized current nets worth Tk 9 crore and finned 178 fishermen in the last three days until Saturday.

The Fisheries and Livestock Ministry has taken different measures to produce six lakh metric tonnes of fish in the current fiscal year of 2020-21.