Assam: Fishing restrictions issued to boost fish production in Sonitpur District

Our Correspondent

Tezpur: To enhance fish production under the Assam Fishery Policy and the Assam Fish Seed Act, the Sonitpur District Fisheries Development Officer has issued restrictions on fishing activities during breeding seasons and throughout the year in natural water bodies under the Assam Fishery Policy, 1953 (amended in 2005). These measures aim to conserve, enhance breeding, and increase fish production.

As per the guidelines From April 1, 2025, to July 15, 2025, the use of nets with mesh sizes smaller than 7 cm bar/14 cm stretched (2.7 inches/5.5 inches), including barrage nets, drag nets, entangling nets or any other type of net is prohibited in designated fishery areas under Section 23(1). Additionally, the use of cast nets with mesh sizes smaller than 1 cm bar/2 cm stretched is banned throughout the year under Section 23(2).

During the fish breeding season, from May 1, 2025, to July 15, 2025, catching gravid fish (carrying eggs or sperm) of species like Rou, Bahu, Mirika, Mali, Kaliazar, Chital, Kharia, Pithia, Gharia and Kudhi is strictly prohibited in designated fishery areas under Section 23(A)1.

From August 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025, the catching, consuming, or selling of undersized fish is banned Rou, Bahu, Mirika, Chital, Kharia, Pithia, and Silghoria below 23 cm (9 inches). Kaliazar, Mali, Kudhi, and Bhangon below 10 cm (3.9 inches).

However, exceptions may be made for fish farming purposes with approval from the Fisheries Department. If such fish are caught unintentionally, they must either be released back into the designated fishery areas alive or supplied to the Fisheries Department at prescribed rates under Section 23(A)2. Additional restrictions include:

From May 1, 2025, to July 15, 2025, the use of stationary fishing gear made of bamboo with mesh sizes smaller than 7 square cm (2.7 square inches) in any river, pond, lake, or fishery area is prohibited under Section 24.

Lessee fishery holders are prohibited from draining water from leased fishery areas under Rule 18 and must ensure the fishery remains free of weeds and aquatic plants under Rule 19. Dumping dead leaves and debris in designated fishery areas is prohibited under Rule 21.

The Sonitpur District Fisheries Development Officer urges the public to follow these regulations to achieve increased fish production and maintain high-quality fish seed availability in the state.

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