Mongla, Oct 21 (V7N) – The Bangladesh Navy has detained 104 fishermen along with six fishing trawlers for illegally catching Hilsa during the ongoing fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal. The arrested fishermen were brought to the Navy’s Digraj Base in Mongla on Tuesday afternoon after being apprehended in deep sea on Monday evening.

According to Mohammad Zahidul Islam, Senior Fisheries Officer of Mongla Upazila, the Navy intercepted the trawlers for violating the 22-day fishing ban aimed at protecting mother Hilsa and ensuring uninterrupted spawning. The ban, which began on October 4, will continue until October 25.

The trawlers, carrying approximately 5 metric tons of fish—mostly Hilsa—were intercepted while operating in the sea in defiance of the ban. The detained fishermen are from Barguna, Patharghata, Patuakhali, Rangabali, and Mahipur areas. The confiscated fish will be distributed to local orphanages.

Islam added that the fishermen will be released, while the owners of the trawlers will face financial penalties. He emphasized that such enforcement actions are critical to conserving the Hilsa population and supporting sustainable fisheries management.

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