Coast Guard has conducted public awareness campaign in Chattogram to conserve national fish hilsa
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq shared the information in a press release on Sunday.
The press release said that since its inception, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been playing a vital role in ensuring the security of the country’s vast sea, coastal, and riverine areas. Alongside that, the Coast Guard continues its regular drives to prevent the catching of juvenile jatka, protect mother hilsa, and enforce restrictions during the fishing ban period in the sea to preserve Bangladesh’s fish resources.
Recently, due to fishing by artisanal trawling boats, marine biodiversity has been destroyed, fish breeding disrupted, marine plants and fish fry destroyed, and the ecosystem’s balance disturbed — creating fears of fish scarcity in the Bay of Bengal in the future. As a result of continuous operations against illegal artisanal trawling boats, their use has significantly decreased, which will lead to an increase in the abundance of fish in the sea and rivers.
On the occasion of the hilsa fish breeding season, to protect “mother hilsa” and conserve breeding grounds, under the Fisheries Protection and Conservation Act 1950, from 4 October to 25 October 2025 — a total of 22 days — the catching, transportation, storage, marketing, and buying-selling of hilsa across the country will remain prohibited.
To successfully implement the mother hilsa conservation program, the Coast Guard East Zone has taken all necessary measures. To enforce the restrictions, intelligence surveillance in coastal and riverine areas has been strengthened, and 24-hour day-and-night patrol activities are being carried out. Additionally, to raise awareness among fishermen, miking, leaflet distribution, and discussion meetings are being organized, urging everyone to comply with the law.
At the same time, joint operations are being conducted in coordination with the district administration, fisheries department, navy, police, and other organizations actively involved in mother hilsa conservation, and legal action is being taken against violators.
Moreover, the Coast Guard remains always ready to provide immediate assistance in any emergency at sea or along the coast — anyone in need can call the emergency service number 16111.
Bangladesh Coast Guard will continue round-the-clock patrol operations in the fish sanctuaries located within its jurisdiction in the coastal and river areas to protect the mother hilsa, the press release addes.
