Dhaka, Sept. 15 -- day ban on catching hilsa across the country will begin from October 8 to ensure safe breeding of the national fish during its peak breeding season.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Taskforce Committee on Hilsa Resource Development held at the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Tuesday.

Fisheries and Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid chaired the meeting, said a PID handout.

Transportation, storage, marketing, buying, selling and exchange of hilsa will also remain prohibited nationwide during the ban period.

A mother hilsa conservation campaign will be conducted during the period, while fishermen who refrain from fishing will receive food assistanc...