Dhaka, April 30 -- Fishermen are gearing up to resume hilsa fishing as the two-month government ban on catching, selling, and transporting jatka (hilsa fry) comes to an end at midnight on Wednesday.

Around 50,000 fishermen-including 44,035 officially registered-have been preparing by repairing nets and boats, ready to return to the Padma and Meghna rivers in search of hilsa.

During a visit to key fishing hubs including Ananda Bazar, Lalpur, Bishnadi, Safarmali, Kanudi, Bishnupur, Tilabari, Boro Station Molhead, Puran Bazar Ronagoal, Harishobha, Dokanghar, Baharia, Laxmipur, Hanarchar, Harina, and Akhoner Haat, a UNB correspondent observed intense activity as fishermen made final preparations.

The fishing ban, enforced from March 1 to A...