Once considered a fish largely associated with the southern rivers of Bangladesh, hilsa is increasingly making its presence felt in the rivers of the north, raising hopes of new opportunities for fishermen in the region.
The Teesta, Dharla, Brahmaputra and Jamuna rivers are now occasionally yielding the prized fish, with fishermen reporting catches in several areas of Rangpur division.
According to the Department of Fisheries, around 58 tonnes of hilsa have been caught so far this season in 11 upazilas across Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Gaibandha districts.
The figure was 39 tonnes in the previous season and 32 tonnes in 2024, indicating a gradual increase in the region’s hilsa catch.
The fish is being found in six upazilas of Kurigram, four in Gaibandha and one in Lalmonirhat, particularly in stretches of the Brahmaputra and Teesta rivers.
However, the volume remains considerably lower than in the country’s traditional hilsa-producing areas.
With the nationwide 22-day fishing ban, observed from October 8 to 29 to protect mother hilsa during the peak breeding season, now over, fishermen have returned to the rivers.
But many are struggling to resume fishing because of a shortage of boats and the high costs involved.
Kurigram District Fisheries Officer Jahirul Islam Akand said hilsa is occasionally found in the Teesta, Dharla, Brahmaputra and Jamuna, but the rivers’ poor navigability has emerged as a major obstacle to fishing.
Fishermen also lack adequate technical assistance and the necessary equipment to make the most of the opportunity, he said, adding that the matter had been brought to the attention of the ministry.
Nayan Chandra, a fish farmer from Majhipara in Ulipur, said hilsa catches in the Brahmaputra has been relatively low this season.
He said he sold hilsa weighing around one kilogram at Tk 1,200-1,300 per kg in the wholesale market.
The government’s assistance during the fishing ban has provided some relief, with eligible fishermen receiving 25kg of rice each, he added.
Kanchan Kumar, a fisherman from Kurigram, said the number of fishing boats has declined, making it increasingly difficult for fishermen to go out into the river.
“Fishermen now have to spend at least Tk 2,000 to go fishing, apart from boat rental costs. The amount of fish they catch often does not cover the expenses, making fishing unprofitable,” he said.
He said smaller hilsa weighing less than half a kilogram are selling for Tk 500-600 per kg, while larger ones fetched Tk 1,200-1,400.
Hilsa usually remains available in the Brahmaputra until Kali Puja, after which catches become extremely rare, he added.
Abdul Gani, a fisherman living along the Teesta in Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat, said they have caught only around 15kg of hilsa from the river this year.
He blamed the shortage of fishing boats and the river’s poor navigability for their limited catch.
Sahadat Hossain, senior fisheries officer in Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram, said hilsa catches in his area are lower than in neighbouring Rajibpur and Roumari.
Why hilsa is disappearing from some northern stretches
Fisheries experts say the availability of hilsa in northern rivers is closely linked to their connection with the Bay of Bengal and the seasonal flow of water.
Hilsa is an anadromous fish, meaning it lives mainly in the sea but migrates through river systems into freshwater to reproduce.
The Padma-Meghna river system and its tributaries have traditionally been the country’s major hilsa habitats.
However, hilsa is not confined to the southern region. It has been recorded in around 100 rivers across Bangladesh, although its distribution and abundance vary considerably from one river system to another.
Hilsa is particularly abundant in the Padma and Meghna basins, their tributaries, coastal rivers and estuaries. The fish generally takes eight months to a year to mature after hatching.
Retired fisheries survey officer Zubayer Ali said hilsa migrates from the sea into rivers that maintain a connection with marine waters.
During the monsoon, the Brahmaputra becomes more turbulent, creating conditions that allow hilsa to move upstream into the northern region.
The Teesta was also once a strong-flowing river, and hilsa used to migrate into it from the sea for spawning. But the fish is now rarely found in the river, he said.
Restoring the rivers’ navigability and natural flow is essential to bringing hilsa back in greater numbers, he added.
