A cow once burnt by a fire gets scared at the mere sight of red clouds;
the people living along the banks of the Meghna River share a similar sentiment. Every year, drives to protect mother *ilish* (hilsa) are launched: fishing bans are imposed, administrative activity intensifies, patrols are conducted, nets are seized, and legal cases and fines are issued. Yet, when sightings of *ilish* in the river dwindle after these campaigns, the question naturally arises—despite all these elaborate measures, are we truly succeeding in protecting the fish? It often seems that the very period designated for protecting mother *ilish* turns, in some places, into a festival for catching them.
According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on September 29, 2026, the 22-day period from 23 Ashwin to 13 Kartik 1433 BS—spanning October 8 to October 29, 2026—has been designated as the peak breeding season for Hilsa. During this time, a ban will be in effect covering not only the catching of Hilsa but also its transportation, storage, marketing, buying, selling, and exchange. While imposing such a ban is undoubtedly necessary, the mere issuance of the order is not enough; the real test lies in its effective implementation. This is because the entire initiative is called into question if illegal fishing continues in the rivers, banned fish appear in the markets, and violators somehow manage to evade consequences during the very period intended to ensure a safe breeding environment for mother Hilsa.
But the question remains—will this year’s campaign truly succeed? Or, as happens every year, will it once again be limited to paperwork, meetings and rallies, public announcements, a few river patrols, net seizures, and mere token gestures? If mother Hilsa are not allowed to spawn safely during this critical breeding period, the future of the Hilsa resource will be jeopardized. Past experience offers little reassurance; often, illegal Hilsa fishing continues in the rivers even while the campaign to protect mother Hilsa is underway. Similarly, incidents of catching juvenile Hilsa (*jatka*) occur through various loopholes during the protection period.
The Meghna River in Chandpur is not merely a river; it is the lifeline for the livelihoods of thousands of people. The people living along its banks—in areas like Haimchar, Matlab, and Chandpur Sadar—share a long-standing bond with the Hilsa fish. A vast economic ecosystem has developed around this fish, involving fishermen who catch it, wholesalers who purchase it, laborers who transport it, and traders who market it. According to government data, Bangladesh’s total fish production in the 2023–24 fiscal year stood at 5.018 million metric tons, with Hilsa accounting for 0.529 million metric tons. Department of Fisheries statistics indicate that Hilsa contributes approximately 12 percent of the country’s total fish production. However, the same data reveals a decline in Hilsa production during that fiscal year compared to the previous one. Thus, conserving Hilsa is not just about protecting a single fish species; it is deeply intertwined with food security, employment, the economy, the lives of river-dependent communities, and the nation’s heritage. Even with a fishing ban in place, achieving the desired results through river patrols alone is difficult if unscrupulous fishermen continue to fish unchecked, illegal nets remain in use, caught fish reach the market, and trading activities persist. Protecting mother Hilsa will only be possible if impartiality and accountability are ensured during enforcement operations.
The most concerning aspect is that, even during the peak Hilsa season in 2026, reports emerged indicating a failure to catch the expected quantities of Hilsa at the confluence of the Padma and Meghna rivers in Chandpur. In July, reports in various national dailies and *bdnews24* highlighted complaints from fishermen and traders regarding the scarcity of Hilsa in the rivers. Expert teams have also begun fieldwork to investigate the reasons behind this decline. In this situation, simply tallying the number of detained fishermen is insufficient; we must also seek answers to questions regarding why Hilsa migration patterns are shifting, what changes are occurring in the riverine environment, the safety of breeding grounds, and alterations in the fish’s migratory routes. Another recent report has highlighted researchers’ concerns regarding factors affecting Hilsa movement in the Meghna River at Chandpur, such as the formation of submerged shoals, reduced navigability, and changes in migratory paths. The river’s environment, navigability, breeding grounds, sanctuaries, and migratory routes must all be considered holistically.
Concerns also exist regarding shoals, changes in the river’s navigability, and unplanned sand extraction in the Meghna River. Reports indicate that the Chandpur River Station of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute has written to the district administration, urging a halt to unplanned sand extraction in the Meghna. Researchers feared that such activities could adversely affect the movement and sanctuaries of the Hilsa fish. Incidents involving the seizure of dredgers and the sentencing of individuals for illegal sand extraction from the Meghna have also occurred in Haimchar. In short, protecting the Hilsa requires looking beyond just the fishing nets; one must also pay attention to the river itself.
Operations are conducted annually to protect mother hilsa, and separate bans are in place to safeguard *jatka* (juvenile hilsa). A 70-kilometer stretch of the Meghna River in Chandpur—extending from Matlab Uttar to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar—has long been under surveillance as a critical zone for *jatka* conservation. If *jatka* still reach the market from the river despite these operations, it indicates a weakness somewhere in the management system. A report published in a national daily in 2026 highlighted that the killing of *jatka* continued in the Chandpur section of the Meghna River even while enforcement operations were underway. Locals alleged that fishermen sometimes learned of the operations in advance and managed to evade them. The same report also detailed the regular enforcement drives conducted by fisheries officials. Another report pointed to the role of moneylenders and wholesale traders—specifically their predatory lending practices—in driving the illegal catch of *jatka*; both locals and a *Upazila* fisheries officer stated that fishermen are often compelled to fish under pressure from these moneylenders.
Allegations of illegal fishing frequently arise at the local level under the patronage of influential individuals, businesspeople, or politically powerful circles. It is essential to investigate such allegations and take legal action if evidence is found. If a poor fisherman is punished for violating the ban while an influential person gets away with the same offense, it erodes public confidence in the law. To ensure the success of the campaign to protect mother hilsa, there can be no partiality in law enforcement; whether a fisherman or a businessperson, a boat owner or a wholesale trader, anyone violating the ban must be held accountable under the same legal framework.
A genuine fisherman knows when the river yields fish, where the fish are located, and the times when Hilsa are most active. If they are made partners in Hilsa conservation, they can become valuable allies to the administration. There are also concerns regarding the reduced navigability of the Meghna, the formation of shoals, alterations to the river’s natural course, and unplanned sand extraction. Reports indicate that the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute has written to authorities urging a halt to sand extraction in the Meghna, citing fears that Hilsa migration patterns and sanctuaries could be harmed. Hilsa conservation initiatives should not be viewed merely as sporadic “drives”; an integrated management approach is required. The river must be saved. Breeding grounds must be protected. Juvenile Hilsa (*jatka*) must be safeguarded. The use of harmful fishing nets must be stopped, and illegal sand extraction halted. Simultaneously, opportunities for alternative livelihoods for fishermen must be expanded.
The 22-day ban commencing on October 8 is, therefore, not merely another government drive; it is a litmus test. The questions remain: will there be regular and effective patrols on the river this time? Can information leaks be prevented before the operation begins? Will there be surveillance at wholesale depots and markets alongside the river? Can the supply and use of illegal nets be halted? Will action be taken against influential individuals or traders if they are found to be involved in violating the ban? The Meghna represents our life, our livelihood, and our heritage. The Hilsa is not just a fish—it is a resource deeply intertwined with the river, the economy, the culture, and the lives of the people. What is needed now is not just an enforcement drive, but effective, transparent, impartial, and accountable Hilsa management. The ultimate measure of success will be the presence of Hilsa in the river after the campaign to protect the mother Hilsa concludes. This time, the answer must be delivered not on paper, but in the waters of the Meghna.
Shudir Baran Mazi, Teacher, Haimchar Government College, Haimchar, Chandpur.
