Kuakata, Nov 07 (V7N) — Following a 22-day fishing ban aimed at protecting hilsa breeding in rivers and the Bay of Bengal, fishermen near Kuakata are back at sea and reaping the rewards. Nets are now filling with a variety of marine fish, providing a boost to local fishing communities. Species like large-sized koral, pangash, and poa, alongside others such as knife fish, laitta, khalla, chela, tuna, roopchanda, rida, surma, and shrimp, are being caught in abundance.

One fisherman, Ilyas Majhi, recently caught a 14 kg poa fish, which he sold at the Kuakata fish market for Tk 10,500, priced at Tk 750 per kg. Although hilsa remains scarce, Munsur Ali managed to capture a hilsa weighing 2.3 kg, which sold for Tk 6,325.

The Mahipur Alipur fishing port is bustling as trawlers return with fresh catches, while others head out to sea. Although fishermen report lower hilsa yields this season, the demand and price for other marine species have risen, providing some financial relief. Fishermen hope a hilsa catch will help offset their debts after the fishing hiatus.

Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Apu Saha explained that the twice-yearly fishing ban, alongside regular river patrols, aims to increase the production of marine species. “As a result of these measures, fishermen are seeing more diverse and plentiful catches,” he said, adding that the effort seems to be benefiting the local fishing community as marine species thrive.

The rising variety of fish, including large pangash, poa, and koral, has been welcomed by both fishermen and local traders, who noted the high market demand. Fishermen, while optimistic, continue to hope for a better hilsa season, as it remains the preferred and most profitable catch.

END/UKH/AJ