Shawdesh Desk:

The government has imposed a 22-day ban starting October 4 on catching, selling and transporting hilsa across the country to ensure safe spawning of the fish, during its peak breeding period.

Fisheries and Livestock Ministry issued a notice in this regard on Wednesday.

“Hilsa harvesting will be stopped for a total of 22 days across the country. Hilsa procurement, marketing, buying, selling, transportation, stocking and exchange will be banned during this period,” the notice read.

In order to ensure the safe reproduction of ilis, the fisheries department has been imposing bans, since 2003, on catching hilsa during the Bangla month of Ashwin to Kartik. The ban is imposed under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act 1950.