Dhaka, Oct. 31 -- A nationwide eight-month ban on catching juvenile hilsa, locally known as "Jatka", is set to take effect at midnight to boost production and protect the fish's future stocks.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Saturday, the restrictions will be enforced under the ministry's supervision and implemented by the Department of Fisheries.

The ban will remain in effect until Jun 30, 2027, prohibiting the catching, transportation, marketing, purchase, sale, and storage of hilsa measuring less than 25cm.

The move follows the "Mother hilsa Conservation Campaign-2026", which ran from Oct 8 to Oct 29 to protect spawning hilsa during their peak breeding season.

The ministry said newly ha...