3,080kg hilsa seized, 161 fishermen jailed

Bangladesh Coast Guard today seized 3,080kg hilsa and detained 168 fishermen for netting the fish defying a ban.

A mobile court led by an executive magistrate of Chittagong district administration sentenced 161 of them to 15-day imprisonment this afternoon under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, 1950.

The rest seven fishermen were freed, reports our Chittagong correspondent.

Foyzul Islam, commander of Coast Guard Ship Ruposhi Bangla, said they conducted the drive in the Bay of Bengal near Sangu gas field area and seized 3,080kg of mother hilsa worth Tk 24.64 lakh and 24,000 metres net worth Tk 12 lakh.

Besides, 12 fishing boats were seized in the overnight drive, he said.

The government has imposed a ban on hilsa fishing from September 25 to October 9 to protect the fish during the breeding time.

The process of handing over the fishes and the equipment to fisheries department were underway, said Foyzul.