That the ban on catching hilsa fish, effective from October 1 until October 22, is making an impact is quite evident. The authorities have been enforcing the ban over the past few years with spectacular success. Now they know how to enforce the order at the level of fishermen, some of whom are desperate to go on with netting mother hilsa despite the ban. To make the campaign successful, a ban on catching the fish is not enough. The entire process of sale, transportation and storage of fish during the ban period has to be brought under regulation. For the past few years this has been done with very little to complain. This year is no exception. While slack vigilance allows some fishermen in coastal Patuakhali and Barguna to go on a catching spree, there are also reports that poor fishermen are yet to receive the monetary or food support they were allowed to enjoy in the years before.
On the positive side, trawlers started returning from the sea immediately after the announcement of the ban had been made. Actually the fishermen of trawlers have fully realised how beneficial it is to allow mother hilsas to travel to sweet water of rivers for laying eggs. Not long ago, the hilsa population was seriously threatened. But the authorities moved to painstakingly convince the fishermen that it was in both their and the nation's interests they should refrain from catching and selling the fish in its peak breeding season. As organised fishing, trawlers have other stake-holders who also were persuaded to comply with the 'no-catch' order. Now the owners of trawlers and large traders of hilsa are convinced that the move pays heavily. The return of hilsas in large swarms has now become an annual event.
In a situation like this, it is the poor individual fishermen living from hand to mouth who find themselves in a disadvantageous position when the ban is in effect for more than three weeks. They must be listed as authentically as possible and provided the support they need during the period. This is not done with the seriousness it should be done. On the contrary, their desperation often lands them in even a far worse condition when they are arrested for breach of the ban. Already, there are reports that fishermen were arrested when they were catching hilsa in some rivers in violation of the order. Of course, if fishermen with motive other than compulsive are found to violate the order, they should be sentenced under the law. The poor ones should be treated as leniently as possible.
Now that more than a week has passed since the ban on catching hilsa fish began, signs are positive notwithstanding a few small hiccups. The majority are cooperating with the authorities. This will help boost hilsa catch in the future. But then, there is yet another challenge concerning protection of hilsa brood called 'jatka' and allowing them to reach maturity. The brood will come out of the eggs soon and will be easy prey to fishermen, particularly those who use what is called 'current net'. Drive launched against this type of net is yet to be successful. The need is to detect its origin, that is, where it is produced and destroy the machines. Such a comprehensive drive will increase hilsa production many times more.