Hilsa floods Barishal markets as ban ends

Hilsa has started to flood the fish markets of Barishal after withdrawal of the government ban on netting the fish on Monday.

According to local sources, hilsa is being caught in several rivers adjacent to the southern coastal areas. The fishermen also expressed surprise to catch so many hilsa at the beginning of winter season.

The Hilsa Mokam (wholesale market) area in the city was crowded with shoppers on Wednesday.

A large number of wholesalers were present at the market from different parts of the country, including from Dhaka.

Due to the supply of a lot of hilsa, the price has also come down a bit, making the buyers happy too. They are buying hilsa as much as they can.

A buyer named Shafin Ahmed said, “Prices are fairly affordable. Many people like me have come to buy hilsa. Lots of hilsa has arrived, and it looks good. I will be able to taste hilsa after a long time.”

The workers are seen busy packing the purchased hilsa with ice. Styrofoam packages were seen piling up in front of each warehouse.

One after another- boats, trawlers and speed boats carrying hilsa are coming from the Kirtankhola River through the canal. The wholesale traders of Port Road Hilsa Mokam are surrounding the boats. They purchase that hilsa and pile it in front of the store.

Visiting the Mokam at Port Road area of the city on Wednesday, it was found that huge hilsa were being netted in rivers of the region, and flooded the market.

After 22-day restriction against netting the fish ended, fishermen netted at least 4,000 maunds of the fish local rivers and estuaries Tuesday, which reached the wholesale market of Barishal, said Nirob Hossain Tutul, secretary of Barishal district Matsya Aratdar Samity.

The fishermen started hunting hilsa again without any hindrance After 12am on Monday, he added.

Speaking to the fishermen, The Business Post has learned that a lot of hilsa is being caught in the Bay of Bengal and Meghna River. Most of the fish weigh about one kg.

Traders at the market are selling fish weighing 1.2 kg to 1.4kg for Tk 1,000 per kg, 1.4 kg to 1.6 kg for Tk 1,100, and 600-700 gram is Tk 700.

Barishal District Fisheries Officer (Hilsa) Bimal Chandra Das said the 22-day ban on hilsa breeding season has been successful, evident by the size of the fish and availability. “I am optimistic that more hilsa will arrive in the future,” he added.