Fishermen in Bhola district are feeling hopeful as they report a surge in hilsa catches in the local rivers after a prolonged period of poor fishing. The increased catches have brought a festive mood to fishing villages and renewed activity at fish landing stations and among traders involved in the hilsa business.
According to fishermen, significant quantities of hilsa are now being caught in the Meghna, Tetulia, Ilisha, Kalabadar and Buragouranga rivers, as well as other waterways surrounding Bhola. Both small and large hilsa are being caught, providing a much-needed boost to the local fishing community.
The improved catch has led to increased activity at various fish landing stations. At the Shibpur fish landing station on the Meghna, as well as landing stations in Ilisha, Tulatuli and several areas along the Tetulia River in Veduria, fishermen have expressed satisfaction over the recent improvement in catches.
Fishermen Malek Majhi, Sharif, Mainuddin, Kalam and Chhidu Majhi reported catching large quantities of hilsa since Friday night. They believe the improved catch will help them repay debts and recover from losses incurred during the prolonged period of poor fishing.
Md Badsha Mia, president of the Ilisha Fisheries Traders Association in Bhola Sadar, said wholesalers had taken advance payments amounting to lakhs of taka from Dhaka-based buyers against commitments to supply hilsa. Failure to meet those commitments had put traders under considerable pressure. "Now that hilsa are arriving in large numbers, everyone is relieved," he said.
Despite the sudden increase in supply, hilsa prices have yet to fall significantly. Amir Howladar, a leader of the Monpura Fish Traders Association, said one-kilogram hilsa is currently being sold for around Taka 2,700, while 800-gram fish are priced at around Taka 1,400 and 500-gram hilsa around Taka 700. Fish traders expect prices to become more affordable for consumers within the next two to four days if the strong supply continues.
According to the Bhola Fisheries Department, the hilsa production target for the district this season has been set at between 189,000 and 192,000 metric tonnes. The department said the district achieved a satisfactory level of hilsa production in the previous fiscal year and has taken steps to further increase production this year. Bhola District Fisheries Officer Md Delwar Hossain told BSS that the current hilsa season is underway and that the district is likely to achieve its production target if the present level of catches continues in the rivers and the sea.
