, Feb. 27 -- The government has imposed a two-month ban on catching all types of fish, including hilsa, in the Padma River and Meghna River from Saturday midnight to boost hilsa production and conserve jatka.

The restriction will remain in force from March 1 to April 30, during which fishing, sale, transport and stocking of fish in the designated river stretches are prohibited. Authorities warned that strict action will be taken against violators.

District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam said a nearly 70-km sanctuary has been declared from Satnal in Matlab Uttar upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar via Chandpur Sadar. About 47,000 registered fishermen will refrain from fishing during the period.

To support affected fishermen, ...