Thousands of fishermen have ventured into the Meghna river following the conclusion of a 22-day government ban enforced to ensure safe Hilsa breeding.
Fishermen are currently navigating a 70-kilometre river stretch in Chandpur, dreaming of netting silvery Hilsa. Many fishermen entered the Padma and Meghna rivers at midnight on Thursday to harvest fish.
Several fishermen have started bringing Hilsa, pangash, and other fish species to landing depots (aarats), reviving bustling activity across coastal river markets. After three weeks of idleness, traders and harbour workers have returned to full activity.
However, Hilsa prices remain high, with large-sized fish selling at previous rates.
A visit to Harina Fish Ghat in Chandpur Sadar Upazila between 7am and 11am on Friday observed fishermen harvesting and trading fish. Fishermen who set out at midnight docked at the fish ghat at daybreak.
Fishing boats arrived continuously at the market adjacent to Harina Ferry Ghat, carrying Hilsa and other fish varieties in plastic trays. The market contains approximately 20 small and large Hilsa depots.
Fishermen stack their catches at these depots, where they are sold quickly through open auction. Hilsa is rarely stored at this ghat for later sale. Two categories of buyers purchase fresh Hilsa here: retail traders selling in the town, and wholesale traders buying to supply the Boro Station Fish Landing Centre.
Liton Tapadar, a fisherman from neighbouring Govindapur village, shared that he caught and sold Hilsa worth Tk 12,000 on Friday morning after fishing overnight. He expressed confidence that fishermen could clear their debts within a few days if catches continue at this rate.
Another fisherman, Abul Kalam Khan, noted that his seven-member team entered the river at midnight and sold Hilsa worth Tk15,000. He said they would return to the river shortly, though he cautioned that Hilsa availability might drop after a few days.
Jahangir Hossain, a depot owner (aratdar) at the ghat, explained that Hilsa prices would not drop owing to high market demand.
One-kilogramme Hilsa fish are selling for Tk2,500 to Tk2,600 per kg, while fish weighing 400 to 500 grammes are priced at Tk1,300 to Tk1,500 per kg. Smaller Hilsa weighing 200 to 300 grammes are selling at Tk500 to Tk650 per hali (four pieces).
Jahangir Hossain added that fishermen are also catching pangash alongside Hilsa, with large pangash selling at Tk1,200 per kg and smaller ones at Tk900 to Tk1,000 per kg. He noted that prices might fluctuate depending on the volume of Hilsa arrivals.
Md Salim, another aratdar, mentioned that fish arrivals began on Friday morning, and the overall supply trend would become clearer over Friday and Saturday, noting that arrivals dropped after two days in previous years.
Ibrahim Mia, an aratdar at the ghat, observed that larger Hilsa were arriving in greater numbers post-ban, with very few small ones. He added that although Hilsa quantities remain limited, pangash catches are helping fishermen offset their financial losses.
Conversely, Sirajul Islam Soyal, a veteran fish trader at Harina Fish Ghat, claimed the river was typically full of Hilsa at this time of year, alleging that illegal fishing of mother Hilsa during the ban reduced yields due to administrative failure to control dishonest fishermen.
Mirza Omar Faruq, senior fisheries officer of Chandpur Sadar Upazila, stated that two strict enforcement drives to protect jatka (Hilsa fry) and mother Hilsa are benefiting fishermen.
He highlighted that fishermen are catching pangash alongside Hilsa and suggested that a dedicated government project to cultivate pangash could contribute significantly to the national economy, similar to Hilsa.
