, Sept. 29 -- The government has announced a nationwide 22-day ban, effective from October 4 to 25 this year, on catching, transporting, marketing, and storing hilsa, aiming to protect brood fish during the peak spawning season.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter announced the decision at a press conference on Monday at the ministry, while unveiling the 'Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025' and discussing the availability, harvest, prices and export situation of hilsa.

"The decision has been taken based on scientific assessments of the breeding season to ensure safe spawning of hilsa," she said.

The key spawning period runs from October 4 to 25 (19 Ashwin to 9 Kartik 1432), covering the four days before the full moon and...