Fisheries and livestock Minister Abdur Rahman on Monday said the government is taking steps for producing other nets alongside current nets for conserving Jatka aiming to increase hilsa fish.

"Right now, we are focusing on conservation of Jatka through stooping all types of fish catching nets," he told the inaugural function of the Jatka Conservation Week-2024 here, an official release said.
 
Rahman said the government is observing Jatka Conservation Week-2024 from March 11 to 17 to discourage the fishermen to catch the hilsa fry to boost its production.

The minister said various programmes have been taken at the field, upazila and district level to observe the jatka conservation week for seven days.

"At present the Awami League (AL) government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has allocated 40kg rice per month for the fishermen families. While a total of 10kg of rice per month was allocated for fishermen before AL government took power in 2009," he added.

The present government is not only enforcing laws to protect Jatka but it (government) has also increased the amount of VGF food assistance to fishermen during this fishing ban, he said.

The minister said that in 2023-24 fiscal year, the government has been continuing a VGF rice distribution programme, where 57 thousand 771 metric tons of rice is being given in 20 districts of 97 upazilas.

 As part of the programme, a total of 3 lakh 61 thousand 71 fishermen families are being given 40 kg of rice for 4 months.

The government is taking various measures, including jatka conservation week, to ensure availability of Hilsa fish for all.