Hatia Coast Guard on Friday seized 420 mounds of Jatka hilsa from a fishing boat in the Meghna river in Noakhali`s Hatia upazila.

According to the Coast Guard, on a tip-off, a team of the Coast Guard conducted a drive in Dalchar area in the river under the upazila early Friday and seized these Jatka hilsas from a boat named `Bismillah`.

At that time, a total of 16 sailors, hailed from Manpura upazila in Bhola district, were detained from the boat.

After initial questioning on Friday morning, the 16 detained were released on bond that they would not do such a thing in the future.

Later, the seized fishes were distributed to a local orphanage in presence of fisheries officer.

Coast Guard Hatia Station Commander M Rafiqul Islam said, "Our operation will continue to protect the fish resources.``