To facilitate uninterrupted fish spawning, including that of Hilsa, Department of Fisheries imposed a two-month fishing ban, starting from March 1, on 340 square kilometres of five major rivers snakingbysevenofthecountry'ssouthern districts.

The yearly ban put into effect since 2006 covers the Hilsa, Meghna, Tetulia, Bishkhali and Padma rivers passing by Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna, Munshiganj, Chandpur and Laxmipur districts.

The area stretches from Shatnol to Char Alexander (100km) and Madanpur Char to Shahbazpur (90km) of the Meghna river, Veduria to Char Rustom (100km) of the Bishkhali river, Kalapara to Charmanik estuary areas (50km) and Padma, Hilsa and Tetulia rivers and their branches, said the department's Assistant Director Dr Nirmal Chandra Roy.

Anyone found violating the ban could face fines ranging fromTk5,000 toTk 10,000, be jailed and have their fishing nets confiscated and destroyed, said the department officials.

The department completed disseminating the information among those involved in the fish trade, said Dr Nirmal.