After a 22-day ban, the netting of Hilsa began from Wednesday night. So, huge quantity of Hilsa is being flooded in the Port Road market of Barishal from Thursday morning. The price of the fish went down significantly.
The fishermen and traders are quite happy with the fish they got from Kirtankhola River.The traders are also satisfied to the huge supply of hilsa. But few people are unhappy as the price dropped down to 200.
After a spot visit, it was found that the hilsa-laden boats, trawlers and speed boats are coming to the ghats. As soon as, the boats reached the ghats, the wholesalers surround the boats. It has turned into a festival. The buyers coming from different districts are bargaining with the traders.
The buyers said that the hilsa is being sold at half of the price so the markets turned into crowded places. Four hilsas weighing 500 grammes are being sold at Tk 800. The price of per Kg small size hilsa is being sold at Tk 200.
Habibur Rahman Shohel, who came to Port Road to purchase Hilsa, said I bought eight hilsa fishes at Tk 1600. But the price of the fishes in the first week of the month was 3500-4000. Besides, the small size hilsa is being sold at Tk 200.
The fishermen and the traders said the fishes which were netted after ban are carrying eggs. So the duration of the ban should be extended. In this context, they are claiming that the breeding period is being changed keeping pace with the changing weather. So before taking ban movement concerned authorities should discuss with the field-level fishermen every-year’ they said.
Samad Ali, a local fisherman, said “We get 20-30 kg of hilsa while netting. But all the fishes are carrying eggs. So, the duration of the ban should be extended. The traders of Port Road said 2500 mounds of hilsa was collected till Thursday noon.
Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the ban was questioned as the large number of hilsa was collected 12 hours after the ban lifting.
Ajit Kumar Das Monu, president of Barisal Fish Wholesaler Association, said the fishermen have netted plenty of hilsa. It is a record at the first day after ban. The fish is being sold at low price for the large supply. He said one mound of hilsa weighing 1.5 kg is worth about Tk 60,000 while one mound of hilsa weighing 1 kg is worth about Tk 32,000. The fishes weighing 500 grammes are being sold at tk 400. Per kg jhatka is being sold at Tk 200. He also said the hilsa is being sold at low price today. So people of all walks of life can buy hilsa.
About the ban, he said the restriction was not successful. A vested quarter sold the fish secretly defying ban. To make the drive successful, the fisheries department and administration have to work passionately.
Barisal district Fisheries Official Mohammad Abu Sayeed said 35 teams conducted drives to stop netting hilsa in the district during ban. The team members patrolled in the river all the time. Besides, the members of Navy and Coast Guards also conducted drive.
“At least 533 people were sentenced different jail terms for catching hilsa in the 22 days defying ban and fined Tk 20 lakh 37,500. 290 kg of hilsa was seized.
About hilsa selling during ban, Abu Sayeed said ‘we did not get any information of hilsa selling during ban. Dishonest traders may sell hilsa in remote areas.
