Coast Guard Seizes 46kg of Mother Hilsa, Destroys 500,000 Metres of Illegal Nets in Monpura

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized 500,000 metres of illegal fishing nets and 46 kilograms of mother Hilsa during an operation in the Meghna River in Monpura upazila of Bhola district. The confiscated nets were later destroyed by fire, while the seized fish were distributed among local orphanages, madrasas and underprivileged people.

The operation was conducted late Tuesday night, October 20, by a team from the Bangladesh Coast Guard's BCC Base Outpost in Monpura, targeting several locations along the Meghna River to protect mother Hilsa during the breeding season.
Late-Night Operation in the Meghna

According to Coast Guard sources, regular patrols were being conducted in key areas, including Majherghat, Janata, Latakhali and Kharir Khal, to prevent illegal fishing during the government-imposed fishing ban.

Acting on a tip-off that some fishermen were violating the ban by using illegal current nets, the Coast Guard launched a targeted operation in the river. Upon sensing the presence of the patrol team, the fishermen fled under the cover of darkness.

The team subsequently recovered approximately 500,000 metres of abandoned illegal current nets and 46 kilograms of mother Hilsa from the river.
Seized Nets Destroyed, Fish Distributed

At around 3:00am, the seized nets were taken to the Nayeber Hat area under Hajirhat Union, where they were burned and destroyed in the presence of Coast Guard personnel, following directives from the local administration and the executive magistrate.

Coast Guard Vows to Continue Crackdown
A responsible official of the Bangladesh Coast Guard's BCC Base Outpost in Monpura said the protection of mother Hilsa was essential to preserving the country's valuable fisheries resources.

The official said the government had imposed restrictions on fishing during the breeding season to allow Hilsa to reproduce and maintain the sustainability of the fishery.

The Coast Guard would continue its strict enforcement operations against illegal fishing and those violating the government-imposed ban, the official added, stressing that efforts would also be made to raise awareness among fishermen about the importance of protecting mother Hilsa.