Eight-month ban on Jatka fishing begins today

A nationwide ban on catching juvenile hilsa, locally known as jatka, comes into effect today and will remain in force until June 30 next year.

The eight-month ban aims to boost hilsa production and ensure the sustainable conservation of the species.

During this period, catching, transporting, marketing, buying, selling, or storing hilsa smaller than 25 centimetres is strictly prohibited, the fisheries and livestock ministry said in a press release today.

Earlier, from October 4 to October 25 this year, the government conducted the "Hilsa Conservation Campaign-2025" to protect mature hilsa during their peak breeding season, it added.

According to the Fish Protection and Conservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, and the Fish Protection and Conservation Rules, 1985, violation of this ban is punishable by up to two years of imprisonment with labour, a fine of up to Tk 5 lakh, or both.