A nationwide eight-month ban on catching jatka (juvenile hilsa) will come into effect at midnight on Saturday (October 31) to boost hilsa production and ensure the fish’s availability for future generations. The restriction will remain in force until June 30 next year.

During this period, catching, transporting, marketing, buying, selling and storing hilsa measuring less than 25 centimetres—all classified as jatka—will be strictly prohibited.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the decision in a press release issued on Saturday.

According to the release, the government conducted the ‘Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2026’ from October 8 to 29 to protect spawning hilsa during the peak breeding season.

The juvenile hilsa hatched from eggs laid during this period will inhabit the country’s coastal rivers and estuaries over the coming months. Protecting these young fish and allowing them to grow safely will help increase hilsa production in the future.

The Department of Fisheries will implement the ban under the supervision of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

To enforce the restriction, nationwide drives will be conducted with the assistance of district and upazila administrations, the Navy, Coast Guard, River Police, Special Response Battalion (SRB) and local law enforcement agencies.

The ministry further stated that under the Fish Protection and Conservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, and the Fish Protection and Conservation Rules, 1985, violations of the ban may result in up to two years of rigorous imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 500,000, or both.