Bagerhat, Oct 14 (V7N) — A 22-day ban on hilsa fishing, transportation, storage, and sale will begin from Sunday, October 13, in an effort to protect mother hilsa during their breeding season. The ban, which will last until November 3, covers both the Bay of Bengal and key rivers such as the Pasur and Baleswar. This initiative is crucial for safeguarding the future of hilsa populations, as it allows the fish to spawn undisturbed.

The last day for selling and buying hilsa was Saturday (October 12), leading to a rush of buyers at KB Bazar in Bagerhat city. Despite the crowd, both fishermen and consumers left unsatisfied. Fishermen reported catching fewer fish, while buyers complained of high prices.

At KB Bazar , prices surged. A kilogram of hilsa was sold for Tk 2,200 to Tk 2,400 , while 500 grams were priced between Tk 1,400 and Tk 1,500 . Hilsa weighing 5–7 kg fetched Tk 600 to Tk 800 in open auctions. Just a few days ago, the same fish were selling at significantly lower prices—around Tk 1,300 to Tk 1,500 per kilogram.

Ruhul Amin , a trawler owner from Baga in Kachua Upazila , shared his frustration: “The sea blockade starts tomorrow. I caught very few fish this time. Demand is high, but the quantity is low, so prices have gone up. Even at these prices, it’s hard to cover costs.”

Buyers were equally discontent. Nyamul Mollah , one of the many rushing to buy hilsa before the ban, said, “I thought prices might be lower on the last day, but they are much higher than usual.”

Fish traders like Milan Sheikh echoed similar concerns, explaining the challenge of selling to retail buyers at inflated prices. According to Sheikh Abed Ali , president of the KB Bazar Matsya Artaddar Samiti , the shortage of fish this year is stark. "There’s not even 10 percent of the fish compared to previous years’ last-day sales. The market is crowded, but the supply just isn’t there."

To ensure the ban is enforced, ASM Russell , Bagerhat District Fisheries Officer, announced that the Coast Guard , Naval Police , Navy , and officials from the Department of Fisheries Extension will be mobilized. The ban applies not only to the sea and rivers but also to the canals within the Sundarbans , with large engine-driven boats also being prohibited.

This initiative aims to protect the breeding cycle of hilsa and ensure the sustainability of this key fish species, vital to both Bangladesh’s economy and food security.

END/AHS/AJ