Gigantic Hilsa weighing nearly two kilograms fetches 6,650 Taka in Patuakhali market
A magnificent hilsa weighing 1.9 kilograms has been netted in the marine waters off the coast of Patuakhali, drawing considerable attention from local buyers and traders at the Mohipur fish landing center in Kalapara upazila. The prized catch was brought to the Mohipur market on Saturday morning by a fisherman named Asadul Islam, subsequently fetching 6,650 Baka at a rate of 3,500 Taka per kilogram from a buyer identified as Sourav.
According to the fisherman, the substantial hilsa was caught last Thursday aboard a fishing trawler named FB Junaid near the outer buoys of the Payra Port. The catch was initially brought ashore to be sold at Mayer Doa Fish Commission House in Mohipur. Market observers noted that exceptionally large hilsa consistently generate high demand, with specimens approaching or exceeding two kilograms triggering heightened excitement among consumers and traders alike.
Local fish trader Kawsar Hossain remarked that hilsa weighing nearly two kilograms are rarely spotted in local markets, explaining why the arrival of this particular fish immediately captivated prospective buyers.
Weighing in on the ecological significance of the catch, Kalapara Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md Zahirun Nabi stated that hilsa grow rapidly when they secure adequate sustenance and favorable environmental conditions in the sea. He added that the appearance of such large specimens serves as a positive indicator of ongoing breeding cycles and healthy growth trajectories for marine hilsa populations.
Echoing this sentiment, Md Bakhtiar Rahman, a research assistant for the Shustho Sagor project implemented jointly by WCS and WorldFish with funding from the Blue Action Fund, noted that capturing a hilsa of this magnitude undoubtedly underscores the presence of larger fish in the marine ecosystem. However, he emphasized that determining the true abundance of such fish or the overall health of marine fisheries requires continuous data collection and rigorous scientific analysis.
Senior Fisheries Officer Zahirun Nabi concluded that while securing a large hilsa brings considerable joy to local fishers, it also serves as a critical milestone for monitoring species productivity and growth. He underscored the vital necessity of strictly adhering to government conservation bans, breeding restrictions, and sustainable fisheries management regulations to protect the national marine resource.
