Bangladesh set for record Hilsha production

Send
Shafiqul Islam
Published : 07:30, Jul 13, 2018 | Updated : 07:44, Jul 13, 2018

Massive hauls of Ilish being unloaded and prepped for transport at Fishery Ghat in Chittagong on July 10, 2017  DHAKA TRIBUNEBangladesh is set to achieve a millstone as hilsha production has stood at over 500,000 tonenes of hilsa in 2017-18 fiscal against 195,000 tonnes in 1986-87 fiscal, according to the Fisheries and Livestock ministry.
Among the 11 countries where hilsa is found, Bangladesh is the only country where production of the dazzling silver creature is on the rise.
With a 9-10 percent growth in annual production, Bangladesh becomes the biggest sources of hilsa, locally known as Ilish, followed by neighbouring India and Myanmar.
Hilsha is mainly a sea species but prefers to lay its eggs in rivers due to no salinity and less current. It is caught in all major Bangladeshi rivers, such as the Padma, Meghna and Jamuna, and their Bay of Bengal estuary.
Around half a million people in the coastal areas are involved in Hilsha fishing, Fisheries Minister Narayan Chandra Chanda told Bangla Tribune.
“At least 2 million others are involved in processing, transporting, marketing and export.”
According to Chanda, Bangladesh is now the fourth largest fish producing country in the world.
Hilsha contributes 1.15 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and accounts for 12 percent of Bangladesh’s fish production, which translates to around Tk 75 billion.
Experts, however, say that the Bangladesh’s production will hike by at least another 200,000 tonnes if authorities could curb catching Hilsha fries.
“The Hilsha in Bangladesh is unique, unlike those available in other regions. The government should intensify the monitoring process and provide incentives for its growth,” said Mridula Chowdhury, who teaches Marine Science at Chittagong University.
Fisheries Minister Chanda also informed food supports will be provided to nearly a quarter million fishermen of the coastal districts as they can survive during the Hilsha catching ban period.

/zmi/
Top