Let not greed devour hilsa during ban

Hilsa is our national fish, and successive governments have been maintaining a good initiative by imposing a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing to protect mother hilsa during their peak breeding season, as this helps increase the hilsa population significantly. However, it is quite unfortunate that in recent years, people have allegedly continued fishing for hilsa during the ban, disregarding the law. According to a report published in this daily yesterday, illegal hilsa fishing is continuing along stretches of the Padma and other rivers, with fishing boats operating at night, fish being sold on riverbanks and supplies reaching Dhaka through social media. Reports from Shariatpur to Kushtia suggest that illegal fishing continues despite the legal prohibition. Local sources have alleged that many influential groups are involved in such activities in different areas and that law enforcement agencies rarely conduct regular night operations. We are really concerned that illegal fishing appears to have become more widespread this year, posing a serious threat to the country’s future hilsa production.
People must refrain from fishing for hilsa during this period and obey the law. Those who engage in such activities out of ignorance or greed must understand that refraining from fishing for hilsa during its peak breeding season will allow the fish to lay eggs and reproduce safely, helping increase hilsa production in the coming years. This will ultimately benefit the country economically and ensure a sustainable supply of this valuable fish. On the other hand, if hilsa fishing continues during this crucial period and mother hilsa are caught before laying eggs, the fish population may decline significantly, depriving future generations of this important natural resource.
Meanwhile, the failure of law enforcement agencies to act effectively to stop illegal hilsa fishing is quite frustrating. The authorities concerned must make rigorous efforts to stop such illegal fishing. The police and fisheries authorities must strengthen their strategies to prevent illegal fishing, particularly through regular night-time operations in vulnerable river areas. Most importantly, caution must be exercised to ensure that the compensation allocated to fishermen during such ban reaches those who genuinely deserve it, rather than those who seek to take undue advantage.
Protecting hilsa should be a shared responsibility. Therefore, the government, law enforcement agencies, fishing communities and the public must work together to ensure that the ban achieves its intended purpose.