1,200kg Jatka seized, 10 fishermen fined in Bagerhat

In a drive to conserve young Hilsa fish, authorities in Morelganj upazila of Bagerhat district, seized 1,200 kilograms of Jatka Hilsa and 20 lakh meters of illegal fishing nets. 

The operation was conducted late Saturday night in Panguchi and Baleshwar rivers by the upazila administration in collaboration with the Fisheries Department.

On Sunday, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Md. Nazmul Islam conducted a mobile court, fining 10 fishermen a total of Tk 50,000. The fines were imposed as part of strict measures against fishing Jatka, prohibited from November 1 to June 30 under government regulations.

The confiscated fish were distributed among 15 orphanages in the area, while the seized nets were burned at Solombaria sand field on Sunday morning. 

Additionally, a previously seized small fishing boat was auctioned for Tk 5,000, with the proceeds deposited into the government treasury.

The mobile court and operation were led by UNO Md. Nazmul Islam, alongside Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Ranjit Kumar, Coast Guard Contingent Petty Officer Manjur Hossain and other Fisheries Department staff.