Government measures, including jatka and mother hilsa conservation programme and sanctuary management, gave a massive boost to national fish hilsa production as it almost doubled in 2023 compared to that in 2008.
In fiscal 2022-23, hilsa production was 5.71 lakh metric tonnes which was 2.99 lakh metric tonnes in fiscal 2008-09, fisheries and livestock ministry sources said, reports BSS.
Hilsa, a symbol of Bangalee tradition and glory, which got recognition as geographical indication (GI) product in 2017, is the most favourite fish of the Bangalees because of its unique taste and smell. As a single species, it contributes about 12 per cent to the country's total fish production
Talking to BSS, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said the production of hilsa has increased drastically due to the implementation of coordinated programmes by the government targeted towards the development of hilsa resources.
He said hilsa production has increased by 92 per cent to 5.71 lakh tonnes in the last 15 years.
In the financial year 2002-03, the production of hilsa had decreased alarmingly to 1.99 metric tonnes. In the fiscal year 2008-09, the amount of hilsa production increased to 2.98 lakh tonnes.
The government imposes a ban on catching, transporting, marketing, buying and selling, and stockpiling hilsa across the country during the breeding period every year and it gives an outstanding result in rise of hilsa production, he said.
Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) assistance is being provided to those who refrain from hilsa fishing during this period, he added.
A total of 5,28,485.56 metric tonnes of rice was given to VGF card holding fishermen who refrained from fishing hilsa from fiscal 2009-10 to fiscal 2022-23.
Due to the successful implementation of mother hilsa conservation campaign, over 50 per cent of mother hilsa were able to lay eggs within 22 days of fishing ban in 2022, he added.
As a result, about 8,05,515 kg of eggs were produced last year, from which about 40,276 crore jatkas were added to the hilsa population.
Rezaul said Hilsa is not only the national wealth it has now become a part of diplomacy. Hilsa is exported on a limited extent during Durga Puja to next-door neighbour India, which is playing a helpful role in developing the commercial and diplomatic relations between the two countries, he added.
From 2019-20 to 2022-23 fiscal year, 5,541 metric tonnes hilsa was exported to India, which is less than 0.5 per cent of the total hilsa production. This brought in export earnings of Tk 4,39,000 crore.
In the financial year 2023-24, the Ministry of Commerce has given approval for the export of 3,950 metric tonnes hilsa to India, out of which 609 metric tonnes was exported to India on October 10, 2023, which brought in export earnings of Tk 68.2 crore.
The export price of hilsa in India is fixed at Tk 1,100 per kg, but the price is higher in the domestic market.
