SM Saiful Islam Kabir, Morelganj

A 22-day ban on the breeding of mother hilsa and other species of fish in the Bay of Bengal of the World Heritage Sundarbans ended last night. Thousands of fishermen from different areas including Morelganj of Bagerhat, Sharankhola, Parer Hat of Pirojpur district, Tushkhali, Chardoani of Barguna district, Patharghata are ready to catch fish in the river and sea with fishing trawlers.
Last night, a 22-day ban was imposed for undisturbed breeding of mother hilsa starting from October 13.
From today (Monday) all the rivers and seas of the country will start the festival of harvesting all kinds of fish including hilsa. From Thursday morning, fishermen were seen collecting nets, oil drums, ice and other goods at Rajoi fishing ground in Sharankhola upazila. Others are engaged in family markets with advance payments from moneylenders.
Sharankhola Upazila Matsya Artdar Cooperative Society General Secretary Mojibar Talukder said that due to high cyclone and low pressure this year, fishermen have faced losses as they could not catch fish. Hopefully, if the fishermen can go to the sea again to collect hilsa, the loss can be recovered a little.
Sharankhola Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md. Zahidul Islam said that government rice assistance was given to fishermen during the blockade.