Fisheries officials in Daulatpur, Manikganj, have seized 25,000 metres of illegal fishing nets and approximately three kilograms of hilsa from the Jamuna River during an operation to enforce restrictions on catching mother hilsa. The seized nets have an estimated market value of Tk 750,000.
The operation was conducted on Thursday, 15 October, as part of Bangladesh’s 2026 mother hilsa conservation campaign. The restrictions are intended to protect the fish during its breeding period and help safeguard future supplies.
The operation was led by Suraiya Akter Tanni, the upazila fisheries officer. Assistant fisheries officer Md Mizanur Rahman, members of the law enforcement agencies and other fisheries department officials and employees also took part.
Following the operation, the confiscated illegal nets were publicly burned and destroyed. The recovered hilsa, comprising two fish weighing approximately three kilograms in total, were distributed among people in need.
The fisheries department said the conservation campaign is running from 8 October to 29 October to protect the country’s aquatic resources and ensure safe breeding conditions for hilsa. Officials intend to continue enforcement operations to prevent illegal fishing during the restricted period.
Hilsa is one of Bangladesh’s most important fish species, supporting the livelihoods of fishing communities and contributing to the country’s food supply. Protecting the fish during its breeding season is considered essential to maintaining its population and sustaining catches in the years ahead.
Mother hilsa conservation measures are designed to give mature fish an opportunity to reproduce without being caught. Fishing during this period can reduce the number of fish available to spawn, potentially affecting future stocks. Enforcement therefore plays an important role in supporting the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
The use of illegal current nets is also a concern because their fine mesh can trap fish of different sizes, including smaller fish that have not yet reached maturity. Such nets can damage aquatic resources beyond the immediate target species. Removing them from rivers is one measure authorities use to limit illegal fishing and protect fish populations.
The seizure in Daulatpur represents a significant quantity of illegal netting, although officials have not disclosed whether anyone was detained during the operation or identified the people responsible for using the equipment.
The fisheries department has said it will continue operations to prevent unauthorised fishing and protect hilsa reproduction. The effectiveness of the campaign will depend not only on enforcement but also on compliance with the restrictions by those who fish in the river.
For fishing communities, conservation measures can mean a temporary interruption to their usual activities. Ensuring that restrictions are observed is nevertheless important for protecting breeding stocks and supporting the future availability of hilsa. The authorities’ ongoing campaign aims to reduce illegal catches during this critical period and preserve the country’s fisheries resources.
