Abundant Hilsa Catch Sparks Seasonal Surge at Sitakunda Coast

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The coastal waters of South Salimpur in Sitakunda, Chattogram, have transformed into a bustling hub of activity as the Hilsa fishing season gets off to a record-breaking start. Local fishermen returning from the Sandwip Channel and the Bay of Bengal are reporting larger catches and significantly bigger fish compared to last year, fueling a surge in local revenue and optimistic projections for the industry.

According to data from the local fisheries department, the first 15 days of July have already outperformed the total Hilsa harvest recorded throughout the entire month of July last year. The surge in productivity is being attributed to stringent enforcement against juvenile Hilsa fishing and successful monitoring during the government-mandated seasonal fishing bans.

The atmosphere at the Salimpur embankment reflects this newfound prosperity. As boats arrive at the shoreline, the catch is unloaded into baskets and carried to the embankment, where a unique traditional trading system takes hold. Local intermediaries, known as “dakuas,” facilitate the transactions between fishermen and wholesalers. These intermediaries ensure fair market prices for the fishermen, taking a modest commission per basket, and manage the intense bidding process that erupts as soon as the day’s catch is unveiled.

Fishermen report that while operating expenses, including labor and transport, remain a factor, the high quality and volume of the fish have significantly boosted net profits. For instance, some local fishers have managed to generate substantial earnings in a single tide. Wholesalers are competing aggressively for the stock, with much of the premium catch being immediately earmarked for transport to markets in Dhaka to meet high demand.

The positive trend extends beyond South Salimpur, with reports of increased yields across the Bhatiary, Kumira, Bashbaria, and Barabkunda unions. While deep-sea fishing remains the most lucrative—albeit costlier—method of harvesting, the early arrival of large Hilsa shoals has broken a three-year streak of poor seasonal starts for local maritime communities.

Local fisheries officer Motachim Billah noted that the department’s proactive approach, which included rigorous mobile court operations and intensive counseling for fishermen during the off-season, has yielded tangible results. With over 76 metric tons of Hilsa already harvested in the first half of July—surpassing the 74.22 metric tons caught during the entirety of July last year—officials are optimistic. As the peak season typically falls in the Bengali months of Bhadra and Ashwijn, experts anticipate that the current fishing cycle could surpass catch records set over the past five years.