65-day fishing ban in sea enforced last midnight

A 65-day ban on fishing in the country’s maritime zone of the Bay of Bengal has been enforced last midnight aiming to preserve fish and ensure their smooth breeding and production.

The fisheries and livestock ministry has already beefed up monitoring at all entry points of sea to stop operation of fishing trawlers-boats.

During the ban, the government will give 86kg of rice to each of 3,11,062 fishermen in two phases under the vulnerable group feeding (VGF) programme.

The Coast Guards and Bangladesh Navy have been asked to remain vigil at coastal areas to enforce the ban.

The Department of Fisheries has also opened control-room and formed monitoring team in Barishal, Chattogram and Khulna divisions.

Since 2015, the government has been imposing the 65-day ban from May 20 to July 23 under the Marine Fisheries Act, 2020. Fishing in all coastal countries across the world remain prohibited for two to three months during the breeding season. (BSS)