The entire southern region, including Barishal, has experienced cloudy weather for several days, with intermittent drizzle and occasional rain accompanied by wind. This monsoon environment is usually ideal for catching more hilsa in the rivers.
According to the Department of Fisheries,this year’s hilsa fishing season started on July 1.
Fishermen have been regularly heading out to the rivers and seas with their nets and trawlers, but they are returning nearly empty-handed.
Even though this is the peak season, the rivers are not yielding the usual abundance of hilsa. As a result, the shortage of hilsa in the markets, which began a month ago, continues despite the start of the season.
However, the fishing landing centres in the district are noticeably less crowded, and many fishermen are spending most of their time idle.
Since the first day of the season, a group of eight fishermen, led by Zakir Majhi, have been casting their nets at Miarchar Point in the Meghna River. Besides, each evening when they return to the ghat, they manage to sell fish worth only Tk 4,000 to 5,000.
Zakir Majhi expressed his frustration, stating that the income from the fish they catch is barely enough to cover their expenses. This difficult situation has persisted for a month now. A few years ago, he used to earn Tk 30,000 to 35,000 per day from selling hilsa.
Abdul Salam, a leading fisherman from Tumchar in Chandramohan Union of Barishal Sadar Upazila, shared his concerns, saying he has never witnessed such a shortage of hilsa during the Ashar-Shraban months.
He added that there is no place for fishermen to cast their nets in the nearby Kalabadar River, as grass has begun to grow in many areas.
Sources from the Department of Fisheries reported that hilsa crisis is affecting all rivers in the southern region, which is having a negative impact on the market. Due to the lack of supply, the price of hilsa has risen beyond the reach of common people.
Nearly one kilogram of hilsa is being sold in the market for around Tk 2,000. Hilsa weighing between 600 and 900 grams is priced at Tk 1,700 to 1,800 per kilogram, while smaller hilsa, weighing 500 grams, is being sold for over Tk 1,000 per kilogram.
Most of the fish from the Baleshwar, Bishkhali, and Payra rivers, as well as from the sea, are usually bought and sold at the BFDC Patharghata, the largest fish landing centre in the country. However, there has been no sale of hilsa at this centre for the past two weeks.
Safayet Hossain Munshi, president of the wholesale fish traders association at Patharghata BFDC, mentioned that there is a significant shortage of hilsa in both the rivers and the sea. As a result, many of their workers have taken leave and gone home.
M Lutfar Rahman, the manager of the Patharghata BFDC fish landing centre, also confirmed the severe shortage of hilsa in the three nearby rivers and the sea. He expressed hope that the fishermen might start catching hilsa later this week.
Jewel, ahilsa trader on Barishal Port Road, mentioned that his company employed 20 workers. However, due to the lack of fish imports, the workers have been told not to come in. Some of them have now taken up driving rickshaws, while others are selling vegetables in vans.
Hilsa buyer Mahimul Hasan Emdad commented that the current price of hilsa is far higher than it should be. “At this point, the cost of hilsa is beyond the reach of ordinary people. Due to these high prices, many are losing the chance to enjoy the taste of hilsa.”
Additionally, buyers remarked that it is nearly impossible for the general public to afford hilsa at such prices.
Sheikh Ripon, the organising secretary of the Barishal District Fishery Association, stated,“Ashar, Shraban, and Bhadra months are typically considered the peak season for hilsa, but this year, the desired hilsa is not being found in the rivers or the sea.”
Bimal Chandra Das, the fishery extension officer (Hilsa) of the Barishal Fisheries Department, mentioned,“Although the season began a month ago, there is no promising news about hilsa. The 65-day ban on fishing ended on July 20, but the desired hilsa is not found in both the rivers and the sea.”
“Due to this crisis, the price of hilsa has also exceeded the record. But it started raining continuously and when the rain ends, the status of hilsa will be understood properly.”
MM Parvez, senior fisheries officer of Hijla upazila of Barishal, said,“The depth of water has decreased in many places in Meghna. Especially in the Sagar Mohana, the mouth of the river has been blocked by growing char. The course of the river has also changed. That is why Hilsa is not coming to the river even in the full season. Apart from this, river pollution is also responsible.”
Anisur Rahman, deputy director [Barishal Division] of the Directorate of Fisheries, said that the four months from July to October are the hilsa fishing season. More than two-thirds of the total hilsa production will be available during this period. Very little hilsa is available in the river this year.”
“However, most hilsa are caught in August-September. At that time, thousands of maunds of hilsa arrived in southern locations every day. All of us, including the fishermen, are waiting for that time,” he added.
