Three fishermen jailed, nets and trawler seized in drive to protect breeding hilsa

Abidur Rahman Nipu, Faridpur:

The upazila administration and fisheries office conducted a special drive at several points on the Arial Khan and Padma rivers in Faridpur’s Sadarpur upazila to implement the Breeding Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2026 and ensure safe spawning. Authorities seized banned current nets and a fishing trawler, while three fishermen received prison sentences for violating the restrictions.

Sadarpur police assisted in the daylong drive on Monday (October 19).

Items seized during the drive

Authorities seized 80,000 metres of banned current nets and one fishing trawler from the rivers during the daylong operation.

They burned the seized nets and distributed 5kg of breeding hilsa among orphanages in the upazila.

Mobile court sentences

Following the drive, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Palash Uddin conducted a mobile court at 9pm on Monday. The court sentenced three fishermen to 10 days’ simple imprisonment each for fishing in the rivers in violation of the government ban.

Those sentenced were: 1. Rubel Hossain, son of Mojibor Shikdar, of Char Balashia village in Dheukhali union; 2. Hiran Karal, son of Dabir Karal, of Karal Kandi village in Char Nasirpur union; and 3. Kuddus Khalifa, son of Kashem Khalifa, of Halim Hawlader Kandi village in Char Nasirpur union.

Officials present during the drive

Sadarpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sharif Shawon and Upazila Fisheries Officer Abdullahil Abrar were present during the joint drive.

Administration’s stern message

Sources concerned said the government was committed to increasing hilsa production by protecting breeding fish during the peak spawning season. The upazila administration and fisheries department will continue such special drives and enforcement activities regularly to stop illegal fishing during the ban and take action against violators.