Hilsha fish from the sea is available in markets of Dhaka at cheap rates. Hilsa of different sizes are available at Tk600 to Tk700 per kg. Jatka (Hilsa fish size less than 25 cm) is available at Tk250-300 per kg. But the Hilsa from the river are not available at the desired level.    

Due to many submerged ‘Char’ (a strip of sandy land rising out of a river bed) in way to river, Hilsa fish could not come in the rivers. As a result, less amount of Hilsa is available in river than previous years.

Dr. Anwar Hossain, a teacher of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University told the Bangla Tribune, “Hilsa is a saltwater fish. Because of the Changes in the climate, environment, and courses of the rivers, this year Hilsa fish did not come in the rivers.” But fishermen are getting a large quantity of Hilsa in the Bay of Bengal.

Afjal Hussain, a stockiest of Barisal told the Bangla Tribune, “A large quantity of Hilsa is caught in the Bay of Bengal in the past few days and it is carried to the markets of the country by trawlers, trucks, and launches from Barguna and Barisal.’’

State Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Narayan Chandra Chanda told the Bangla Tribune, “After a few days the Hilsa fishing will be banned.  Starting from October 12, this ban will continue until November 2. A mother-Hilsa gives eggs to minimum 1.5 lakh and up to 23 lakh.”

According to the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, production of Hilsha was 4.27 lakh tonnes in FY2015-16. It is expected, the production of Hilsa will exceed about 5 lakh tonnes in the end of 2017.

60% of the world's total Hilsa is produced in Bangladesh. The fish contributes about 12% of the total fish production and about 1% of GDP in Bangladesh.