Study area and duration This study was conducted by the Jatka Conservation, Alternate Income Generation for the Jatka Fishers and Research Project (JCP) team for a period of five years from July 2008 to June 2013. Jatka prone major districts Bhola, Patuakhali, Chandpur, Laxmipur, Barguna, Barisal, Pirojpur, Shariatpur, Jhalkathi, Munshigonj, Noakhali, Bagerhat, Manikgonj, Satkhira and Chitagong were included for this study, where VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) and AIGA (Alternative Income Generating Activities) inputs were distributed among the fishers household. Fishers’ selection and VGF distribution The preliminary list of jatka fishers‘ household was prepared and updated in every year by the UPMC (Upazila Project Management Committee) that was further approved by DPMC (Districts Project Management Committee) with necessary verification. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO) are the Chairman and Member Secretary, respectively of the UPMC, where Union Parishad Chairman (the lowest tier of the administrative hierarchy) and Fishermen Representative (FR) with related others official are the member of this committee. Similarly, Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Fisheries Officer (DFO) are the Chairman and Member Secretary, respectively of the DPMC. After that, the list was sent to JCP & DoF headquarter for final approval. Before final approval, the list was checked and verified properly by the project authority. A demand letter for VGF inputs was prepared by JCP office according to the final list of jatka fishers‘ and the letter forwarded to the Ministry of Disaster management and Relief through Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The respective higher authority has considered 60-70% numbers of fishers as VGF beneficiaries from the total number of fishers and accordingly they allotted VGF inputs (rice) to the Deputy Commissioner (DC). Then the DC arranges a meeting of concern committee and distributes the allotted VGF beneficiaries‘ number to the Upazila. After this, UNO the Chairman of Upazila committee issued a DO (Demand order) letter to the concern Union Parishad Chairman to collect his allotted rice from the government local depot and distribute it to his enlisted jatka fishers. According to the allotted number, concern union committee selects the beneficiaries on the basis of their income and other socioeconomic conditions. It is noted that, not all the jatka fishers but 60-70% of the fishers from a union were provided VGF facilities in every year. Beneficiaries’ selection and AIG inputs distribution According to the availability of fund of JCP, the AIGAs target benefit was list down every year for each district with necessary verification and a letter issued to the DFO from JCP Headquarter. Then the DPMC divided the beneficiaries‘ number to the concern upazila of the district. The UPMC than divided these to the concern Union Parishad. According to the demand of those beneficiaries, the UPMC select the AIGA packages from different choice. A budget was allotted to the Upazila according to their demand depending on the number of beneficiaries. Then the UPMC purchase those inputs according to the PPR (Public Procurement Rules). Then the inputs were distributed to the beneficiaries arranging a huge gathering with presence of the local representatives and local administration. Hilsa sanctuaries conservation Five sites in the Meghna and Padma rivers, and some inshore marine areas, have been declared hilsa sanctuaries under the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act, 1950, intended for the conservation of juvenile hilsa (jatka) in the major nursery areas, and maintenance of fish biodiversity. After declaration of five hilsa sanctuaries the JCP with DoF personnel including all concern have been protected hilsa sanctuaries and to conserve jatka in the major nursery and spawning grounds of river systems through implementation of fish act. Special operations for jatka protection The JCP introduced special measures for the protection of jatka, formulating a specific act. The act states that ?all activities related to juvenile hilsa (jatka) catching, transportation, marketing, selling and possession is banned from 1 November to 31 May every year in Bangladesh‘. A comprehensive programme (mobile court, awareness campaign, jatka week observation, incentives etc.) has been implemented by the leadership of DoF with direct coordination of JCP. Jatka abundance Monofilament special gill nets which are locally called current jal were used to catch jatka for the measurement of jatka abundance. The jatka availability was measured by the trends of catch per unit effort (CPUE) of gill nets from different sampling sites. Mechanized boat and speed boat were used for sampling, information and data collection. Major nursery grounds of jatka and related areas viz, Ramgoti, Kamalnagar, Haimchar, Hatia, Monpura, Dhalchar, Moulivirchar, Kalirchar, Daulatkhan, Tetulia, Patharghata, Kuakata, Mohipur, Galachipa, Rangabali were selected for sampling and the sites were visited frequently for comprehensive study. The CPUE was measured through the total catch of a gear divided by the fishing effort in a given period. A standard 100 metre fishing net (current jal) were used for jatka fishing in each sampling site. Conservation of brood hilsa The JCP introduced a special measure to prevent the catch of brood hilsa during spawning season. Government has been implemented 11 days ban period (earlier it was 10 days), 5 days before and 5 days after the full moon including the day of the full moon (Bara purnima) in the Bengali month of Ashwin (October). According to the rules hilsa catching, transportation, marketing, selling and possession are banned for 11 days throughout the country‘. A massive programme (mobile court, special operation in the fish market and river site, awareness campaign and public meeting) has been done by the leadership of DoF with direct coordination of JCP, local administration, Navy, Coastguard and law enforcement agencies. Hilsa catch data collection Hilsa catch data were collected from fish landing centre by Upazila Fisheries Officer and Field Assistant through a prescribed format. Survey Officer in each District Fisheries Office was accommodated all these things. Moreover the secondary data were used from Fisheries Resource Survey System, Department of Fisheries (DoF) for crosschecking and authenticity of catch data. After cross-checking the data were computed and analyzed properly. Data analysis Collected data were analyzed by computer programme, Microsoft Excel 2007.