Fishing Bans as a Conservation Tool: Socioeconomic Impacts and Livelihood Compensation in Practice

Abstract

Seasonal fishing bans are rigorously implemented to protect fish during critical life phases, especially in less developed countries where fisheries are essential for livelihoods. The Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) fishing ban in Bangladesh is designed to protect spawning and juvenile populations, bolstered by a government compensation program. Nonetheless, the practical efficacy and fairness of these treatments remain little investigated. This study looks at how the Hilsa ban affects people's lives and checks how well the relief program works in Lalmohan Upazila, Bhola District, which is important for the environment and has many people in need. We employed a mixed-methods approach to collect data from 150 families, five focus group talks, and eight key informant interviews. Results indicate that 42% of families got no compensation, and 61% of beneficiaries experienced delays or deficiencies. The prohibition exacerbated poverty, food insecurity, and school dropout rates among children, leading households to depend on migration, informal loans, or child labor. Political partiality, obsolete registries, and inadequate accountability compromised assistance distribution. Notwithstanding these limitations, communities articulated conditional support for the ban and suggested implementable improvements. This study emphasizes lived experiences and governance challenges, offering vital details about reconciling ecological preservation with social equity. The results contribute to wider discussions on fair fisheries governance and conservation-related social protection in the Global South.