Hilsa season ends in disappointment as 22-day ban begins

This year's hilsa season has ended leaving fishermen of the southern region disappointed over a poor catch, as a 22-day fishing ban during the peak breeding season begins at midnight on Wednesday.
The ban will remain in force from 8 to 29 October, prohibiting all types of fishing in rivers and the sea nationwide. The transport, storage, marketing, sale, purchase and exchange of hilsa will also remain prohibited during the period.
According to the Department of Fisheries, 4.23 lakh fishermen are registered in Barishal division, including around 3.8 lakh hilsa fishermen. Of them, 3.58 lakh fishermen will receive 25kg of rice each under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme during the ban.
This leaves around 65,000 registered fishermen without the government food assistance, raising concerns among fishing communities already struggling with reduced catches and rising fishing costs.
Fishermen said hilsa catches have remained below expectations throughout the season. Many have incurred debts after failing to earn enough from fishing, leaving them uncertain about how they will support their families during the 22-day ban.
“I run my family on loans throughout the year. I hoped to repay my debts and save some money during the hilsa season. But this time, I have not even been able to repay my loans,” said Rakib Bepari, a fisherman from Hizla.
Another fisherman, Kader Payada, said, “The government will give me only 25kg of rice. I don't know how my family will survive during the ban.”
The annual ban is imposed to ensure the safe breeding of mother hilsa and boost the fish population.
Md Kamrul Hasan, director of the Barisal Divisional Fisheries Department, said 
“Rice distribution began on 3 October. The rice has already reached various unions and will now be handed over to the fishermen,” he said.