The government has enforced a 22-day nationwide ban on catching hilsa, the country’s national fish, to protect broodstock during its prime spawning season.

The restriction begins at midnight Friday, Oct. 3, and will continue until Oct. 25.

The government says hilsa migrate from the Bay of Bengal into rivers such as the Padma and Meghna to lay eggs around the full moon in Bengali month of Ashwin. To ensure successful breeding, fishing has been prohibited across key river routes, including a 70-kilometer stretch in Chandpur’s Matlab North up to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar. About 45,600 registered fishers in the district are directly affected.

On Friday morning, hundreds of fishermen were seen returning to shore, unloading nets, engines, and gear from boats to comply with the order.

Local fisher Sabuj Mia from Harina Ghat said most fishermen accepted the decision but urged authorities to stop illegal fishing by outsiders during the ban.

Another fisherman, Monir Hossain, expressed concern over financial hardship, saying many families rely solely on fishing income and urged the government to provide larger cash assistance.

Chandpur district fisheries officer Sribas Chandra Chand said a special task force will conduct round-the-clock patrols to enforce the ban. Boat engines are being disabled, canals sealed off, and fishermen instructed to keep nets ashore. Violators could face up to two years in jail, fines of up to Tk 500,000, or both.

To ease the burden, the government is distributing 25 kilograms of rice per registered fisher under the VGF scheme. Authorities have also instructed financial institutions not to collect loan installments during the restriction.

Hilsa accounts for a significant portion of Bangladesh’s fish production and export earnings. Officials stress that seasonal bans are critical to preserving stocks and sustaining livelihoods in the long run.