The government has allocated 23,496.98 metric tonnes of rice under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme to assist the families of fishermen during the hilsha fry fishing ban.
Around 419,589 families of fishermen of 44 Upazilas of the 12 coastal districts and Chattagram city will receive the VGF rice during 65-day (May 20-July 23) when catching hilsha fry is fully banned.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued an order in this regard directing of the concerned deputy commissioners (DCs).
The DCs were also asked to distribute the rice within June 15.
Each family will get 56 kilograms (40 kg per month) of rice for 42 days from May 20-June 30 in first installment.
The Upazilas are Batiaghata, Dakop, Paikgaccha, Koyra and Rupsha upazilas of Khulna district, Mongla, Morelganj and Sharankhola upazilas of Bagerhat district, Ashashuni and Shyamnagar upazilas of Satkhira district, Bashkhali, Anwara, Mirsarai, Sandwip, Karnaphuli, Sitakunda upazilas of Chattogram district, chattogram city, Sadar, Chakaria, Maheshkhali, Ukhiya, Pekua, Kutubdia, Teknaf and Ramu upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district, Hatia upazila of Noakhali district, Ramgati upazila of Laxmipur district, Sadar, Patharghata, Amtoli and Taltoli upazilas of Barguna district, Mathbaria upazila of Pirojpur district, Sadar, Kalapara, Baufal, Galachipa, Rangabali and Dashmina upazilas of Patuakhali district, Borhanuddin, Charfashion, Doulatkhan, Lalmohon, Tajumuddin and Manpura upazilas of Bhola district.
In order to ensure proper breeding of fish and conservation of marine fisheries resources, all kinds of fish and crustaceans (shrimp, lobster, cuttlefish) have been banned since 2015 from all kind of fishing vessels in the economic waters of the country for a total of 65 days from May 20 to July 23 every year.
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