Rare 2.4-Kilogram Hilsa Fetches Premium Price at Bhola Fish Market
Photo Collected
A massive hilsa weighing 2.4 kilograms was hauled from the Meghna River near Monpura in Bhola on Monday, fetching 9,300 taka at a local auction. Known among coastal fishermen as “King Hilsa,” the unusually large catch highlights the increasing presence of trophy-sized fish in the region’s waterways.
The hilsa was caught around noon by a group of fishermen led by Ismail Majhi, hailing from Mehendiganj, Barishal, while they were casting nets near the Ramnewaz area of the Meghna. Shortly after, the fish was brought to the local Ramnewaz fish landing station, where it was sold to wholesaler Abdul Momin Talukdar during a competitive auction.
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According to local trader Md. Nahid, the auction attracted significant interest from merchants due to the fish’s exceptional size. Momin Talukdar, the successful bidder, plans to transport the hilsa to the Jatrabari wholesale market in Dhaka via river vessel on Tuesday. He noted that while there is strong demand for large hilsa in both Barishal and Dhaka, overall market supply remains low, driving up prices across all size categories.
Fisheries officials have interpreted the catch as a positive indicator for the local ecosystem. Monpura Upazila Fisheries Officer Uzzal Banik stated that the appearance of such large specimens is encouraging for the fishing community and expressed optimism that increased rainfall in the coming weeks will likely draw more mature hilsa into the river.
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District Fisheries Officer Iqbal Hossain estimated the fish to be between two and three years old. He noted that the hilsa was carrying roe, a common occurrence as fish migrate from the sea toward the river to spawn. Hossain attributed the presence of such large fish to the success of ongoing government initiatives aimed at protecting mother hilsa and preventing the harvesting of juvenile fish, known as jatka. However, he warned that the long-term sustainability of the population depends on strictly enforcing bans on catching small hilsa to ensure they have the opportunity to reach full maturity.
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