A two month government ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting of hilsa will come into effect from March 1 with a view to boost its production. The ban will be lifted on May1, said a handout on Monday. The ban covers hilsa sanctuaries in six districts-Barishal, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Bhola, Shariatpur and Patuakhali districts. The sanctuaries are- 100 km in the Meghna River from Chandpur’s Shatnol to Laxmipur’s Char Alaxandar, 90km in Shahbazpur Channel in Bhola, 100 km in Tentulia River in Bhola, 20 km in Naria and Bhederganj upazila in Chandpur district and 82 km in Hizla, Mehendiganj and Barishal Sadar upazila, Gazaria and Meghna river. Also read: 165 fishermen jailed for defying hilsha ban Hilsa has the highest contribution in the country's fish production as the single fish specie. Every year, the government imposes a two-month ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa to boost its production. During this period, catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa will be considered as an offence and those who will violate the ban will get a minimum one year to two years jail or  be fined Tk 5,000. Also read: Hilsha selling like hot cake in wholesale market The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has already allocated 80 kgs of rice for the registered fishermen during this ban period.

A 22-day ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting of hilsa will come into effect from October 14 to protect Hilsa with eggs.   The ban will be effective until November 4, said a handout from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Thursday.   This is the peak period when hilsas release eggs.   Hilsa has the highest contribution in the country's fish production, the government says. It contributes to more than 12.09 percent to the country's fish production.