Bangladesh has sent warships and patrol aircraft to guard the hilsa during its spawning season, a bold move to stop illegal fishing and protect a fish many families rely on. It is a special surveillance operation that uses 17 navy warships and state-of-the-art patrol helicopters to watch the Bay of Bengal and river mouths where hilsa move upriver to lay eggs. The government also set a three-week fishing ban from October 4 to 25 to keep the spawning areas quiet and give the young fish a better chance to grow. Hilsa is Bangladesh’s national fish and an important source of food and income for millions of people, and it can fetch high prices in the capital market. Officials said the patrols operate day and night to stop both local and foreign boats from entering protected waters, and to enforce the temporary ban. Environmental experts welcome steps to stop overfishing but also warn that heavy naval activity might disturb the very fish the operation aims to protect. Md Abdul Wahab, a former leader of the Eco Fish project at WorldFish, said hilsa need calm, undisturbed waters to spawn and suggested quieter monitoring tools like drones. Scientists and conservation groups point to long-term problems such as changes in river flow, silt, pollution and rising seas that make the coastal delta more fragile and harm fish habitats. The government has offered support to affected fishing families by giving 25 kilograms of rice per family while the ban is in force, but many fisherfolk say the aid is not enough to meet daily needs. Fishermen already face hard choices when they cannot go to sea, and some say three weeks without income is very difficult for households with few other options. Nearby demand also matters: fleets from across the border sometimes trawl brackish waters in the wider delta to meet big city markets, and that extra pressure can reduce hilsa numbers over time. The navy’s role is to balance protection and care, and authorities are trying to keep enforcement visible so people understand why rules are needed. Local conservation groups are calling for a mix of rules, better monitoring, and community support to help fish stocks recover while keeping fisher families safe. Simple changes such as quieter surveillance, better data on spawning sites, small cash or food support that reaches people fast, and longer term river health plans could help both people and fish. The move shows the country is taking steps to protect a shared resource, and officials say the aim is to keep hilsa plentiful for future generations while easing hardship for those who depend on it. The hilsa is not just food but part of national culture and family traditions too.
