Jatka Conservation Week inaugurated, boat rally held in Goalando
Moynul Haque Mridha, Rajbari
The Jatka Conservation Week has been officially inaugurated in the Padma River of Goalanda Upazila of Rajbari under the theme "If Jatka fishing stops, Hilsa will be caught in nets. on Tuesday at around 10 am.
Jatka Conservation Week-2025 discussion meeting and boat rally were officially inaugurated by the chief guest. Majharul Islam, Deputy Director of Rajbari Local Government, at Daulatdia Ferry Ghat No. 6 on the banks of the Padma River, organized by the Task Force Committee on Hilsa Resource Development Goalando, chaired by Upazila Executive Officer Md. Nahidur Rahman.
On the occasion of the program, a colourful boat rally was taken out on the Padma after the discussion meeting. The participating boats were decorated with placards with various awareness messages including the slogan "If Jatka fishing is stopped, Hilsa will rise with nets". Representatives from all walks of life including the Deputy Commissioner, District Additional Superintendent of Police, District Fisheries Officer, Naval Police, Coast Guard, Upazila Administration and fishermen community participated in the event. This Jatka Conservation Week will run from April 8 to April 14.
Before the boat rally, the inaugural ceremony of Jatka Week at Daulatdia Ferry Pier No. 6 was hosted by Goalando Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Md. Anwarul Islam and was attended as special guests by Rajbari District Assistant Superintendent of Police Md. Mizanur Rahman, District Fisheries Officer Md. Nazmul Huda, Coast Guard Contingent Commander Shafiqul Islam and others.
During this time, along with the chief guest and special guest, Daulatdia Fisheries Committee President Mohan Mondal, Fishermen Cooperative Association President Md. Aslam Mollah, and General Secretary Md. Achel Bepari spoke to raise awareness among fishermen.
At the beginning of the discussion, Md. Ibrahim Molla recited from the Quran and Jiban Chakraborty recited from the Gita.
The chief guest of the event, Deputy Director of Rajbari Local Government, Mazharul Islam, said, "Hilsa is our national asset. It is the responsibility of all of us to preserve the hilsa fish. As the silver fish, hilsa is a fish known in the world. It is the national fish of our country. Hilsa is not just a fish, it is our national asset." He also said that many European countries are known for salmon fish, just as Bangladesh is known in the world for hilsa fish. Therefore, hilsa smaller than 10 inches (25 centimeters) in length is known as "Jatka". Catching fish of this size is completely prohibited and is a punishable offense.
In the president's speech, Upazila Executive Officer Md. Nahidur Rahman said,
This Jatka Conservation Week event is basically an awareness social campaign. The main goal of which is to awaken people. If we can do this, then this Padma, which is full of youth, will once again be filled with the youth of Hilsa.
He further said, "We all have the responsibility to protect the country's fisheries. However, some people are working behind the scenes of illegal fishing. No matter how influential those involved in fishing are, no one will be spared if they catch fish.
