Ban on ilish catching from Tuesday midnight

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim on Monday said no one will be allowed to catch mother ilish during the ilish ban which starts from Oct 14.

“No boat will be allowed to ply spots in the river where mother ilishes roam. Members of Navy and the coast guard’s special monitoring team will work to prevent catching of ilish,” he said.

Besides, legal action will be taken against anyone for catching ilish during the ban, he said at a press briefing on the implementation of “mother ilish conservation drive-2020” at the ministry.

Mentioning that we want to bring back the abundance, taste and availability of ilish in the country, the minister said: “This year, Bangladesh has produced more than 80% of the total ilish in the world. The size and taste of the ilish is better than the previous year.”

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He said this year ilish production has broken all the past records and the government has taken a plan to continue the production trend.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim speaking at a press breifing on Monday, October 12,2020 UNB

The government is going to impose a ban on catching, hoarding and transporting of ilish from October 14 to November 4 to protect mother ilish with eggs.

The government will also provide food assistance to fishermen who will refrain from catching ilish in 152 upazilas of 32 districts.

River police and coast guard members will patrol the rivers to make the program a success, he said.

Earlier, a two-month government ban on catching, selling and transporting of ilish began on March 1 and ended May 1.