Hilsa Scarce During Peak Season, Prices Soar

Despite it being hilsa season, fishermen are facing disappointment as their catches fall short of expectations. The reduced availability of hilsa has sent prices soaring, with a single kilogram now selling for an exorbitant Tk1500, putting the prized fish beyond the reach of many poor and middle-class consumers.

This information was gathered from reports by RTV correspondents in Chattogram, Patuakhali, and Chandpur on Thursday (September 12).

Fishermen have reported that hilsa catches from the sea are significantly lower than last year. However, they remain optimistic, hoping for larger hauls during the upcoming new moon and full moon phases. They also expressed concerns over the government’s annual 22-day fishing ban in October, urging authorities to reconsider the moratorium this year.

Buyers echo the fishermen's concerns, lamenting that hilsa prices remain high and unaffordable for lower-income groups. They too hope that an increase in supply will soon drive prices down.

Officials from the Department of Fisheries confirmed the shortfall in hilsa catches so far, attributing the steep prices to the scarcity. They are optimistic that the new moon and full moon periods will bring an abundance of hilsa. Every October, a 22-day fishing ban is enforced to protect hilsa during its breeding season, though the exact dates for this year's ban are still undecided.

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At Chattogram’s Fisherighat, most fishing boats remain docked due to the lack of fish. The few that do return from the sea bring in insufficient supplies, pushing prices at the wholesale market to staggering levels. Hilsa weighing over 1 kg is priced between Tk1300 and Tk1600, while smaller fish weighing 500-800 grams are being sold for Tk600 to Tk700.

Noor Hossain, President of the Chattogram Fishing Boat Owners Association, expressed frustration, stating that current catches are insufficient to cover the costs of fishing expeditions. “In previous years, we caught plenty of hilsa by this time. Now, fishermen are barely covering their expenses,” he said, explaining that a typical boat carries 20-22 workers and incurs food costs of around Tk200,000 to Tk250,000 for a 10-day trip, yet they are only making Tk80,000 to Tk120,000 in returns.

He remains hopeful that the new moon and full moon phases will bring better luck, but reiterated calls for the government to reconsider the October fishing ban. A memorandum has already been submitted to the Fisheries Advisor on this matter.

In Patuakhali’s Alipur-Mahipur fishing harbor and other coastal ghats, fishermen are tirelessly heading to sea but struggling to cover their costs with the small hauls they bring back. Some trawlers are lucky enough to land hilsa, but not in quantities sufficient to meet demand. Local moneylenders report that fishermen are barely managing to break even.

Jalil Gharami, President of the Alipur Fishery Trawler Traders Association, expressed concerns over illegal fishing by fishermen from neighboring countries. "During hilsa’s breeding season, Indian and Myanmar fishermen enter our waters and fish undisturbed. We need stricter monitoring by the authorities, or our efforts to protect hilsa will be in vain," he warned.

In Chandpur, a region once renowned for its bustling hilsa trade, the situation is no different. Even in peak season, the prized fish is scarce, and the fishing grounds have grown quieter with each passing day. A few years ago, Chandpur’s Fisherighat was a hub of activity, with traders and laborers working tirelessly to meet the demand for hilsa. Today, the scene is a shadow of its former self.

Shob-e-Barat Sarkar, General Secretary of the Chandpur Fisherighat Traders Association, noted that while thousands of tourists and buyers still flock to Chandpur to purchase hilsa, the limited supply has driven prices sky-high. "If the supply increases, the prices will come down," he said, voicing a shared hope among fishermen and buyers alike.