11 jailed in Bhola for defying Hilsa fishing ban
A mobile court in Sadar upazila led by Executive Magistrate Rayhanul Islam today sentenced 11 fishermen to one-year in prison with Taka 5,000 fine each for violating the ongoing fishing ban in the Meghna river to protect mother Hilsa and fries.
They were caught from Bholar Khal area of the river this morning.
Around 4,000 meters of illegal nets, 60-kg fish and two engine boats were seized from their possession, said Sadar Upazila Senior Fisheries Official Md
Asaduzzaman.
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With the help of local administration and District Fisheries Department, the fish were distributed among the poor people and the nets were destroyed by the mobile court, the official added.
Earlier on Sunday, government has imposed a two-month-long fishing ban in approximately 100 kilometers of area in the Meghna river as it is the breeding ground of Hilsa.
During the breeding season, hoard of Hilsa fries remain in the breeding area. So that netting in the area might be caused them to be dead.
During the ban period, preserving, collecting, transporting, marketing and storing of Hilsa is illegal and a punishable offense.
District Fisheries Department sources said monitoring operation and anti-Hilsa catching drives will be conducted regularly to prevent illegal fishing.
