2 traders fined in Chandpur defying hilsa fishing ban

Two fish traders were fined Tk 10,000 for catching hilsa in the Padma-Meghna rivers  in Chandpur violating the fishing ban, while an enforcement drive seized 30kg of hilsa and 10,000 metres of banned current nets on Saturday.

The drive was conducted in Chandpur Sadar from 5AM to 9AM under the leadership of Md Nazmul Huda, an assistant commissioner and executive magistrate at the deputy commissioner's office.

The operation covered Rongowal, Dokanghar, Baharia, Harina, the Alubazar ferry terminal canal, Akhner Ghat, Nandi Ghat, Rajrajeshwar and the Boro Station fish market.

Members of the Sadar upazila fisheries department, Coast Guard and river police took part in the drive.

During the operation, fish traders Md Selim and Md Rafiq at Boro Station fish market were fined Tk 5,000 each for illegally storing hilsa.

Mirza Omar Faruk, senior upazila fisheries officer in Chandpur Sadar, confirmed the operation and said further legal action would be taken over the seized hilsa and banned nets.