Eight jailed for violating fishing ban at Dashmina

DASHMINA, PATUAKHALI, Oct 11: A mobile court in Dashmina Upazila of the district sentenced eight people to one month’s jail each for allegedly violating a seasonal ban on fishing in the Tentulia River to protect mother hilsa. Each was also fined Tk 50.

The detainees were arrested during a joint drive by the upazila administration and river police in the Lalchar area of the river from Saturday afternoon to evening. Executive Magistrate and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mahmud Hasan Mridha handed down the sentences.

Authorities seized three trawlers, nets and other fishing equipment during the operation. The seized nets and equipment were later burnt and destroyed at Haji’s Haat launch terminal on the riverbank.

The arrestees are from Galachipa Upazila in Patuakhali District and Char Fasson Upazila in Bhola District. They were reportedly seasonal rather than professional fishermen.

UNO Mahmud Hasan Mridha told The Daily Observer that all fishing is prohibited during the breeding season to protect mother hilsa. He said enforcement drives would continue throughout the ban to boost hilsa production.