Although the illish fishing season has begun, prices of the popular fish remain high in Chandpur, known as the ‘home of illish,’ due to low supply and rising fishing costs. Traders say supply in the market is far below demand, while fishermen report poor catches in the rivers. Fisheries experts blame weak implementation of conservation measures, illegal fishing, river pollution, low rainfall, and climate change impacts for the decline in illish availability.
Fishermen in different parts of Chandpur say they are struggling to recover costs due to poor catches. Arif, a fisherman from Puran Bazar in Chandpur Sadar, said there are hardly any fish in the river and fishing costs have increased while catches remain very low. Salauddin, a fisherman from Haimchar, said a night’s fishing trip with five to six people costs Tk 3,000–4,000, but the catch often sells for only Tk 2,500–3,000, forcing many fishermen to stay ashore. Another fisherman, Jasim, said low river water levels are also affecting fish availability, though he expects improvement in the coming weeks.
At the Chandpur Bara Station Fisheries Landing Centre, traders said illish supply remains extremely low, with only 10 to 15 maunds arriving daily against a demand of 200 to 300 maunds. As a result, prices remain high, with 1 kg illish selling for Tk 2,700–3,000, 700–800 gram fish for Tk 2,000–2,300, and 500–600 gram fish for Tk 1,500–1,700.
Buyers from outside Chandpur have returned disappointed due to limited supply. Zahidul Islam, who came from Dhaka, said he expected lower prices but could not buy any fish after searching for hours. Another buyer, Taukir Hossain, said prices are beyond the reach of ordinary consumers as supply is very limited.
Fish trader Hasib said daily supply is far below demand, with only 8 to 10 maunds arriving against a demand of 200 to 300 maunds, forcing buyers to purchase smaller quantities. Shabe Barat Sarkar, General Secretary of the Chandpur Fish Traders’ Cooperative Society, said warehouses are nearly empty and the market is facing a severe shortage, though prices may ease if supply increases next month.
Chandpur District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Fakhrul Islam said reduced rainfall, river pollution, and illegal underwater fishing have contributed to the decline in illish catch, along with weaker monsoon river conditions. He added that conservation efforts such as jatka and mother illish protection are aimed at controlling overfishing and protecting stocks.
Market stakeholders expect prices to remain high in the short term, with hopes that improved river conditions and increased supply from the sea will help stabilize the market in the coming weeks.
