KAMALNAGAR, LAXMIPUR, Apr 3: Fishermen in Kamalnagar Upazila of Laxmipur have returned to the Meghna River after the two-month government ban on all fishing activities ended on Thursday midnight, aimed at protecting juvenile hilsa (jatka) and boosting overall production.
With the restriction now lifted, fishing activities resumed across the river on Friday, and by Saturday thousands of fishermen were seen back on the water with boats and nets.
The return has brought relief and renewed hope among the local fishing community, which had remained idle for two months.
In Kamalnagar, nearly 13,000 fishermen have been preparing for the season. Boats were repaired, nets mended, and fishing gear readied ahead of the reopening of the river.
The government had enforced the ban in the Meghna sanctuary zone-from Shatnol in Chandpur to Char Alexander in Ramgati, Lakshmipur-to ensure safe breeding of hilsa.
During March and April, all types of fishing, as well as transportation, sale, storage, and exchange of fish, were prohibited in the designated 100-kilometre area.
Local fisheries officials said joint task forces at district, upazila and union levels conducted regular drives to enforce the ban. Registered fishermen were provided food assistance (VGF) during the restriction period.
Since Friday morning, fishermen have begun venturing into the river in phases. At various fish landing stations, boats were seen preparing for trips as crews set out in search of hilsa.
At Motirhat fish ghat, fisherman Salim Uddin said they had waited for two months to return to work. "We followed the ban properly. Now we are back in the river and hoping for good catches," he said.
Fishermen expressed optimism that hilsa availability would increase this season, citing favourable conditions in the river following the conservation period.
However, leaders of fishermen's associations raised concerns over uneven distribution of government support during the ban.
They said although there are around 13,000 fishermen in Kamalnagar, only about 7,000 received VGF assistance, leaving many families without aid.
They also said that while rice support helped partially, the lack of cash assistance created difficulties in meeting daily expenses and loan repayments.
Kamalnagar Upazila Fisheries Officer and Task Force Member Secretary Turjo Saha said the ban has officially ended and fishing is now permitted. However, he added that drives against jatka fishing will continue to protect juvenile hilsa.
