StaffCorrespondent

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said that there is a high demand for Hilsa abroad. However, our first priority is to ensure that the people of our country can consume Hilsa. If the catching of jatka (juvenile Hilsa) can be stopped and production can be increased, it will be possible to meet the domestic demand and export Hilsa abroad. We are continuing efforts to shut down factories that produce harmful nets to preserve jatka.

She made these remarks as the chief guest while inaugurating the 'Jatka Conservation Week' this afternoon at Bells Park in Barishal, under the slogan "If catching jatka stops, nets will be full of Hilsa."

The Fisheries Adviser said, “Hilsa's home is Bhola, and the division is Barishal. This is because 65.88 percent of the total Hilsa produced in the country comes from the Barishal division. Among the districts in Barishal division, Bhola produces the most Hilsa.”

She further stated that efforts are underway to establish a specialized bank named the Fisheries and Livestock Development Bank so that our fishermen can access loans under easy conditions. Attempts are also being made to increase the food assistance provided to fishermen during the jatka conservation period compared to previous years. She noted that the activities of Jatka Conservation Week will continue until April 14 and urged everyone present to come forward to stop the catching of jatka.

The event was presided over by Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr. Md. Abdur Rouf. Special guests were  Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Md. Tofazzal Hossain. Distinguished guests included Divisional Commissioner Md. Raihan Kauser, Range DIG Md. Manjur Morshed Alam, Barishal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md. Shafiqul Islam, Bangladesh Coast Guard (Bhola) Zonal Commander Captain Mohammad Imam Hasan, Chief Staff Officer of Bangladesh Navy, Khulna Region Captain M. Zillur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Delwar Hossain, Superintendent of Police Md. Sharif Uddin Azad, and Naval Police Superintendent S. M. Nazmul Haque. The welcome speech was delivered by Deputy Director of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Nripendra Nath Biswas. Senior officials from the ministry, government office representatives, NGO delegates, members of Barishal Small Fishermen Cooperative Association, and various classes of fishermen were present at the event.

After the inauguration ceremony, a colorful boat rally was organized. The rally started from the DC Ghat on the Kirtankhola River and concluded at Charmonai.

It is mentioned  that , ‘Jatka Conservation Week 2025’ is being observed in 20 Hilsa-rich districts of the country: Dhaka, Manikganj, Rajbari, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur, Munshiganj, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Jhalokathi, Chandpur, Lakshmipur, Feni, Noakhali, Chattogram, Bagerhat, and Sirajganj.