The government has imposed a one-month ban on fishing during the breeding season in Kishoreganj’s haor region, covering Austagram, Itna, and Mithamain upazilas from May 28 to June 26, 2026. The Department of Fisheries has launched limited awareness campaigns through banners, posters, and loudspeaker announcements to enforce the restriction. However, the absence of alternative livelihoods or government food assistance has left thousands of fishermen and their families in severe hardship.

According to official data, 33,190 fishermen are registered in the area, but local sources estimate the real number to be 45,000 to 50,000 families, including seasonal workers. Many depend solely on daily fish sales for survival. The sudden ban has disrupted their income, children’s education, and access to healthcare. The situation is worsened by recent crop losses in the single-harvest haor region, leaving both farmers and fishermen in crisis.

Local fishermen and officials have urged the government to provide food aid or financial incentives, arguing that without such support, enforcing the ban will be nearly impossible.