Hilsa scarcity deepens in Barishal despite peak season

The peak hilsa season is underway, but fishermen in Barishal and other southern districts are facing an acute shortage of the prized fish, with catches falling sharply in major rivers and coastal waters.

During this period, the rivers and waterways of the southern region are normally expected to be full of silver hilsa. But this year, the picture is different. Fishermen are struggling to catch hilsa of both small and large sizes, with the fish becoming scarce in the rivers of Barishal and even in rivers adjacent to the sea.

Fishermen and related traders in the Barishal region complain that reduced navigability in various rivers is disrupting the normal movement and reproduction of hilsa.

Professor Dr Sajedul Haque, dean of the Faculty of Fisheries Science at Patuakhali Science and Technology University, said hilsa production had decreased alarmingly due to fishing with various illegal nets, including behundi and China Duari nets.

“Climate change, river encroachment and pollution are causing a navigability crisis at the junctions of the sea and rivers. Many shoals have been created, disrupting the normal movement of hilsa,” he said.

“The navigability crisis should be eliminated through dredging in the sea and at river mouths and estuaries to ensure the normal movement of hilsa. In addition, during the ban on hilsa harvesting, the campaign should be strictly implemented by providing financial assistance to fishermen and ensuring hilsa reproduction,” he added.

In particular, silt accumulation in the sea and at river mouths and estuaries has created submerged shoals in some places. As a result, the natural routes for hilsa to enter the rivers have narrowed, making it difficult for the fish to migrate upstream.

Another major concern behind the hilsa crisis is the use of banned and harmful fishing nets. Concerns are growing particularly over China Duari, current and behundi nets.

In addition to large fish, these ultra-fine-mesh nets trap small fish, fish fry and other aquatic animals, posing a serious threat to fish stocks.

Effective measures are needed to protect hilsa spawning and breeding grounds, migration routes and nursery areas, preserve jatka and maintain the navigability of rivers and the normal flow of water.

Barishal District Fisheries Officer Dr Hadiuzzaman said the availability of hilsa had decreased significantly this year. “The campaign against fishing with various illegal nets, including behundi and China Duari nets, will be further strengthened,” he said.

On the recommendation of the Department of Fisheries, the government has taken the initiative for de-silting for the first time to increase hilsa production and eliminate the navigability crisis at the sea and river estuaries.

“Dredging work will begin soon and hilsa will be able to enter the rivers normally,” Dr Hadiuzzaman said.
According to fisheries Officer Dr Hadiuzzaman, sediment has accumulated on riverbeds and channels have narrowed in some places, creating submerged shoals.

This is changing the flow and depth of rivers and affecting the normal migration routes of hilsa.

Information from the Department of Fisheries also reflects the extent of the hilsa crisis. In Barishal division, hilsa production was 372,343 tonnes in the 2022-23 fiscal year. In the following fiscal year, it decreased to 348,834 tonnes.

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, production decreased further to 334,783 tonnes. In the latest fiscal year, 2025-26, it fell to 266,597 tonnes.

According to hilsa traders at Barishal’s Port Road hilsa market, where hundreds of tonnes of hilsa used to arrive every day during the peak season, supplies are now very low. Due to the shortage, the price of hilsa has skyrocketed.

Hilsa catches have decreased in various rivers in the southern region, including the Kirtankhola, Arial Khan, Meghna, Tentulia, Kalabadar, Payra, Bishkhali and Sandhya.

Talking to fishermen, it was learned that many of them cannot find even a single hilsa despite casting their nets in the rivers throughout the day.

Sujon Majhi, a fisherman from Mehendiganj, said, “Earlier, when we went down to the river at this time, we would catch hilsa in our nets. Now, even after casting nets for hours, we cannot find hilsa. We cannot afford the cost of oil, ice and food.”

Muhammad Ali, a fisherman from Bauphal, said, “Since we cannot get hilsa, we have to borrow money to run our families. When the fish in the river decreases, fishermen like us have no other option.

Therefore, government initiatives are needed to increase hilsa production.”

Traders on Barishal’s Port Road said that at this time of year, where 1,000 to 1,200 tonnes of hilsa were supposed to arrive every day, only 100 to 150 tonnes of fish are arriving now.