Govt bans fishing nets with mesh smaller than 6.6cm

In a bid to save jatka (fish fry) and increase production of hilsa, the government has banned all kinds of gill nets with mesh smaller than 6.6 centimeters or 2.6 inches.

A gazette was published on July 15, under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Rules, 1985.

Fishermen generally use 13 kinds of nets to catch hilsa. Mentioning names, the gazette said nets meant for catching hilsa must have mesh size of 6.5cm.

Masudara Momi, deputy director of Hilsa Management Wing of the  Department of Fisheries, said, "If we can save 30 percent of total jatka every year, hilsa production will increase up to one lakh tonne," she said.