More than five weeks have passed since the authorities lifted the ban on ilish fishing, but the poor catch from the Meghna-Tetulia River in Bhola district is frustrating the fishermen
Fishermen are returning from the rivers with utmost disappointment and spending their days in extreme distress with their families.
Most of them were worried about repaying the loans they took during the monsoon.
The Department of Fisheries said the desired quantity of ilish will be available after the water in the river increases a little more.
Locals said about 30% of the country's ilish is collected from Bhola’s Meghna-Tetulia rivers but this year, there is inadequate ilish in the fishermen's nets even during the full monsoon.
Besides, the price of engine fuel oil for the trawler and other costs were also high, making the fishermen worried.
Some 200,000 fishermen are involved in netting ilish in the district. Some fishermen told the reporter that rising costs and poor ilish catches forced them to leave their ancestral profession.
According to the district Department of Fisheries, last year, 182,000 metric tons of ilish were produced. This year, they have set a target to produce 185,000 metric tons of ilish.
The number of registered fishermen is 165,000 in the district.
Meanwhile, ilish is out of reach of the middle-to-low income people in the district as four ilish, weighing around one kg each, are being sold at Tk7,000-8,000.
Biswajit Kumar, District Fisheries officer said “The ilish season has begun. However, in the last few days, the catch has improved slightly due to the full moon."