Experts Investigate Plummeting Hilsa Yields as Prices Surge in Bangladesh
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Bangladesh’s peak Hilsa season, which typically begins in July, has failed to deliver the expected surge in catch, leaving wholesale markets across the country facing a severe supply crisis and high prices. Despite government interventions that have been in place since 2007—including food aid, incentives, and alternative employment programs for fishing families during conservation periods—production levels continue to dwindle, prompting an expert investigation into the underlying causes of the decline.
A five-member specialist team from the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), led by Anisur Rahman, principal scientific officer at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, arrived in Chandpur on Sunday to conduct an on-site inquiry. The team initiated their investigation at the District Fisheries Office, where they consulted with local officials to analyze data on the number of registered fishers, the efficacy of existing government support programs, and environmental factors contributing to the scarcity.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Local officials attributed the downturn to several critical issues, including the illegal use of fine-mesh “current” nets, increasing river pollution, and the emergence of shoals in the Meghna River that obstruct fish migration. These findings were echoed by traders at the Chandpur Big Station fish landing center, one of the country’s largest hubs. Merchants reported that while the market previously handled between 1,000 and 1,500 maunds of Hilsa daily during this period, current arrivals have plummeted to less than 100 maunds. This supply shock has driven retail prices for one-kilogram Hilsa to between 2,700 and 2,800 taka, a significant increase from the 1,800 to 2,000 taka range seen in previous years.
Abdul Bari Manik Jamadar, president of the local Fish Merchants Association, noted that while government conservation projects are numerous, they have struggled to reverse the trend. He suggested that systemic barriers, such as changing river conditions and obstacles in coastal zones, are preventing the fish from entering inland waters, while soaring demand further complicates price stabilization. Some traders expressed frustration with current enforcement measures, alleging that personnel from the naval police and Coast Guard are often more focused on harassing fishers and merchants than on meaningful conservation.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Researcher Anisur Rahman confirmed that preliminary observations show not only a drastic reduction in volume but also a shift in market demographics, with smaller fish increasingly dominating the catch over larger, mature specimens. The investigative team intends to synthesize their findings from Chandpur and other regions into a comprehensive report for the Department of Fisheries, offering evidence-based recommendations to revitalize the industry and address the environmental degradation threatening the national fish.
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