The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has said that the government has not approved indoor or artificial ilish farming, clarifying that no such initiative has received official clearance so far. In a press release issued on Monday, the ministry said it has seriously reviewed the issue amid recent discussions and reports published in newspapers, online media and social media regarding indoor or artificial cultivation of ilish. The ministry said a meeting on indoor, fully controlled and intensive cultivation of ilish and other marine fish using the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology was held at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Sunday. It added that there is currently no government policy decision or approval regarding RAS or any other indoor, fully controlled or intensive method of hilsa farming. As such, no individual or institution has been granted permission to cultivate ilish using these methods.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 02, 2026 15:27 UTC