(BSS) - A 58-day ban on fishing imposed by the government in the Bay of Bengal starts today midnight and will continue until June 11.

The ban applies to fishing by all types of vessels in coastal areas, including Bhola and its adjacent districts, aiming to ensure sustainable breeding, production, and conservation of marine fishes.

"During this period, the government will provide 78 kilograms of rice to each registered sea-going fisherman," Bhola District Fisheries Officer Biswajit Kumar Deb told BSS, adding that the number of such fishermen in Bhola district stands at around 65,000.

Citing a notification issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, he said the ban has been declared by virtue of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of the Marine Fisheries Rules, 2023.

The Coast Guard, Navy, and a task force of the Department of Fisheries will conduct regular patrols in the Bay to ensure compliance with the ban, the official added.

Md Badsha Mia, General Secretary of the Bhola Sadar Ilisha Fisheries Cooperative Society, claimed that the actual number of fishermen going to sea from Bhola may exceed one lakh.