Hilsa selling centres of Barisal district have become busy again with the start of the monsoon season. Fishermen started netting Hilsa after an interval of around three months.
Traders demanded that export of Hilsa be resumed soon. Ajit Das Monu, president of Barisal Zila Motsya Arotdar Samiti, said the monsoon was delayed this year due to climatic change, making Hilsa netting in the region scarce.
Generally, Hilsa season starts in late May, but last year it started in late July. This year the monsoon was further delayed and started in late August.
Monsoon season is important for Hilsa netting as monsoon winds and rains raised the water level in the Bay and rivers, making it easy for Hilsa fish to move towards the coast and rivers, the traders explained.
There are at least 11 big Hilsa wholesale centres in the Barisal region Port Road, Hizla, Patar hut, Alipur, Mohipur, Golachipa, Patharghata, Monpura, Ilisha, Gupter Bazar and Machghat.
After visiting the Barisal Hilsa trading centre it was learnt that Hilsa, as big as one kg, was being sold at downward prices of Tk20,000-22,000 per 40kg as export is restricted, while Hilsa, weighted 700gm-950gm, at Tk16,000-18,000 and less than 700gm was being sold at Tk13,000-14,000.
Acknowledging the vast netting of Hilsa this year, different traders of Ilisha and Monpura said if the government did not withdraw restrictions on Hilsa export, the price of Hilsa would fall in local markets. However, they also expressed concerns that investors would incur losses if the price of Hilsa fell in local markets, adding that investors would resort to smuggling in order to cover losses. Moreover, smuggling from trawler to trawler would also increase, they said.
Golam Mustafa Chowdhury, president of Barguna district unit Matsya Trawler Sammittee said about 4,000 trawlers were fishing Hilsa round the clock in and near the Bay, including Sonar Char, Rupar Char, Gangamotir Char, Fearway Boyuya, Dubjahaj, Chitagonger Kharri, Char Montaj, Asar Char, Charfession, Patharghata, Dhal char, and Baushiya points.
Masum Bepari, President of Mohipur Matsya Aratdar Samity of Kalapara coast of Patuakhali, said a single sea-fishing trawler was able to carry 200-500 maunds of Hilsa, preserved in ice, taking at least 7-10 days to reach the coast and inland Hilsa trading ports.