Prices of hilsa have shot up again in Chandpur markets as a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing is set to begin at midnight on Saturday, to ensure safe spawning in the freshwaters of the Padma and Meghna rivers. The ban has sparked a rush at Chandpur’s Boro Station fish ghat, one of the country’s largest fish landing centers, where buyers have been scrambling to purchase the priced fish before the restriction takes effect. The government ban, aimed at protecting hilsa during its spawning season, will remain in place until November 3. Traders said hilsa weighing 1 to 1.2 kilograms is being sold for Tk2,800- 3,000 per kilogram, an all-time high. The price of smaller hilsa, weighing 500 to 900 grams, ranges from Tk 1,200 - 2,000 per kilogram. 479 MT hilsa exported to India through Benapole “Prices were lower just a week ago. Now, even though I want to buy, I can’t because the prices have gone up by Tk500 - 700 per kilogram, said Solaiman, a buyer from Ashikati area. At the fish landing centre, local fishermen were seen bringing in fresh hilsa, some from nearby areas, while others arrive by truck from Noakhali.  Omar Faruq, manager of the Kalu Bhuiyan fish shop, said “The upcoming 22-day ban is the reason. The number of retail buyers far outnumbers the fish supply here.”  With the ban approaching, some tourists have also flocked to the  landing centre, turning their fish-buying trip into a family outing, Faruq adding the market has been busy from morning till night, and on Fridays, many tourists were spotted buying hilsa and having it fried at nearby restaurants. 479 MT hilsa exported to India through Benapole Veteran fish traders like Nurul Islam and Mostafa Khan said they haven’t seen prices this high in over 50 years. In the city’s busiest markets, including Biponibagh and Palbazar, the story is the same.  Chandpur District Fisheries Officer Golam Mehedi Hasan explained the practice of imposing the ban. "Hilsa migrate from the sea to freshwater during this time to spawn. The 22-day ban covers a 70-kilometer stretch from Shatnol in Matlab Uttar Upazila to Char Bhairabi in Haimchar Upazila." All fishing, transporting, selling, and stocking of hilsa in this area will be prohibited durning the ban. Despite increased production—reaching 571,342 tonnes in the fiscal year 2022-23, up from 566,593 tonnes the previous year—the demand for hilsa remains high in Bangladesh, keeping prices elevated in the local market. In the fiscal year 2023-24, Bangladesh exported 664.86 tonnes of hilsa to India, generating $7.71 million, according to the Department of Fisheries. The previous year saw exports of 1,376.42 tonnes of hilsa, worth $13.68 million. Read more: 10 Tasty Ilish Recipes for Bangladeshi Kitchen

Bangladesh has so far exported 479 metric tonnes (MT) of hilsa to India marking Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community, through Benapole land port. The export started through the country's largest land port with 54.460 MT on September 26, and India has so far received 479 tonnes over the past 13 days. The government set a price of $10 equivalent to Tk 1, 180 for per kilogram of hilsa. Visiting local Benapole Fishery Market, this correspondent found per kilogram of hilsa weighing under one Kg was selling at TK 1, 300 and the Hilsa weighing over one Kg at Tk 1800-2000, Tk 600 to 800 more per kg compared to the export price. Read: 410 metric tons of hilsa exported to India via Benapole Land Port Asked about the low price of the exported hilsa, Mahbubur Rahman, an official at Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Centre of Benapole land port, said the circular on hilsa export dates back a few years but now the export price of hilsa may be adjusted in line with the domestic market price. Masudur Rahman, revenue official at the Check-post Cargo Section of the land port, said seven trucks entered India carrying 22 MT of hilsa on Wednesday night. Read more: Bangladesh missing hilsa export target to India for Durga Puja since 2019 With this, India received 479MT of hilsa from Bangladesh through Benapole land port in 10 consignments since September 26, he said.

With four days left to end the deadline, Bangladesh has so far exported 459 metric tonnes (MT) of Hilsa to India marking the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community across the world, through the Benapole land port. The export started through the country's largest land port with 54.460 tonnes on September 26, and India received 459 tonnes sent through the land port over the past 12 days. The government set a price of $10 equivalent to Tk 1, 180 per Kilogram of Hilsa. Read: 410 metric tons of hilsa exported to India via Benapole Land Port Asked about the low price of the exported Hilsa, Mahbubur Rahman, an official at Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Centre of Benapole land port, said the circular on Hilsa export dates back a few years. Then the export price of Hilsa was fixed at $ 10 per kg in line with the market price of that time. Hilsa is still being exported according to the circular. However, the price of hilsa may be adjusted in line with the domestic market price, he said. Rashedul Sajib Nazir, deputy director of the land port, confirmed that they could export only 459 tonnes of Hilas since September 26. Read more: Bangladesh missing hilsa export target to India for Durga Puja since 2019 It may be mentioned a five day holiday centring Durga Puja will begin from Thursday and activities of the land port will remain suspended till after the end of the Puja.

A total of 410 metric tons of hilsa have been exported to India in seven consignments through Benapole land port. The exports went through over several days, with 54 tons sent in 20 trucks on Thursday last week, 45 tons in 15 trucks on Saturday last week, 19 tons in 6 trucks on Sunday, 89 tons in 30 trucks on Monday, 69 tons in 23 trucks on Tuesday, 92 tons in 30 trucks on Thursday, and 42 tons in 13 trucks this evening. 165 fishermen jailed for defying hilsha ban The export price for hilsa is set at 10 dollars per kg, equivalent to approximately Tk 1,180. Mahbubur Rahman, an officer of Fisheries Inspection and Quality Control Center at Benapole, commented on the relatively low export price, saying that the export order was established several years ago. At that time, the price of 10 US dollars per kg was determined based on the market rates. Exports are still being conducted according to that order, but adjustments may be made to align hilsa prices with domestic market rates. Hilsha selling like hot cake in wholesale market Rashedul Sajib Nazir, Deputy Director of Benapole Land Port, confirmed that since Thursday last week until this evening, 410 metric tons of hilsa have been exported to India. However, he noted that exporters must complete all hilsa shipments to India by October 12, as per the directive from the Ministry of Commerce.

Hilsa, or Ilish, is a beloved delicacy in Bangladesh. It is renowned for its unique flavour and tender texture. Its rich taste and aroma make it an exclusive choice for traditional Bangladeshi dishes, cherished by food lovers nationwide. Let’s delve into different and exclusive Ilish recipes to savour.  Nutrients and Health Benefits of Hilsa Fish Ilish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart health and reduce inflammation. It provides high-quality protein essential for muscle repair and growth. The fish is a good source of vitamins B12 and D, supporting brain function and bone health. Additionally, Ilish contains selenium, which boosts the immune system, and essential fatty acids that maintain healthy skin. Consuming Ilish can contribute to well-being and a balanced diet.  Read more: Healthy Alternatives to Cakes and Cookies: 7 Delicious and Nutritious Swaps 10 Mouthwatering Ilish Recipes to Try at Home Ilish Paturi Ingredients 4 pieces Ilish fish (3-cm-thick pieces), 40 grams mustard seeds (soaked 2 hours), 8 pieces green chillies, 40 grams grated coconut, 50 grams yoghurt (beaten), 24 grams salt, 2 g sugar, 2 g turmeric powder,  and 20 g mustard oil.

Hilsa, despite being the national fish of Bangladesh, is mostly out of low-income people's reach, but they can savour the delectable taste of dried, salted hilsa as it is becoming popular in northern parts of the country due to its affordable price. Every year, the workers at Chandpur Boro Station Fisheries Ghat process the unsold hilsa fish. They are now busy cutting up the fish and putting salt in them. Dried salted hilsa or "nona ilish" is catching on in Mymensingh, Tangail, Kurigram, Sherpur and Manikganj districts, and demand is consistently up. 22-day ban on hilsa fishing begins tomorrow At the fisheries ghat, many hilsa remain unsold as they go soft during the season. Some traders purchase these at average price and process them with salt. The dried salted fish are sold at Tk 900-1200 per kg. The workers also separate the eggs from the fish, and the eggs are sold at Tk 2500-2600 per kg. Last year, per kg hilsa eggs were sold at Tk 1400. 173 tonnes of Hilsa exported to India in 3 days through Benapole port Ramjan Bepari, a trader, said that he has been running his business for the past 30 years and every year, he comes from Mymensingh during the hilsa season and lives in the area. He bought unsold hilsa, weighing between 700 and 1000 grams, from the wholesale market at a cost of Tk 700 to 800 per kg. This year, he set a target to process 3000-3500 maunds of hilsa. This dried salted hilsa will remain edible for the next six months, he claimed. Like Ramjan, many traders, including Anwar Hossain, Zakir Hossain and Chari Gazi, have come to Chandpur for the same purpose. Some 100 women and 150 men are involved in processing hilsa fish. They are happy with the daily wages they get. Delay ban on catching hilsa by a month: Barishal fishing community Dr Anisur Rahman, a renowned hilsa expert at the Fisheries Research Institute in Chandpur, said that hilsa can be preserved with salt for six months. Hilsa eggs can also be preserved the same way through ensuring the right temperature in the refrigerator. Some 25-30 lakh people are now involved in processing hilsa fish, and they are earning profits.

The government of Bangladesh is going to impose a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing from tomorrow (October 12). Hilsa catching, selling and transportation will remain prohibited during the period to ensure the safe spawning of the national fish of Bangladesh during its peak breeding period. The ban will remain in place till November 2. On September 20, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim announced the 22-day ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa at a meeting of the National Task Force Committee on Hilsa Resource Development at the conference room of the Fisheries Department at Matsya Bhaban in Dhaka. Delay ban on catching hilsa by a month: Barishal fishing community The objective of the restrictions on fishing is to protect the mother hilsa which lay eggs during the period, he said. Hilsa makes the highest contribution to the country’s fish output as a single fish species. Recognized as a certified patented product of Bangladesh, the fish swim to rivers to lay eggs. Hilsa is very popular both in Bangladesh and West Bengal in India. About 75 percent of the world's hilsa is netted in Bangladesh. Govt allows 3,950 tonnes of Hilsa export to India ahead of Durga Puja Chandpur is considered one of the largest trading hubs of hilsa in Bangladesh as the fish from the Padma River is more popular than the ones that come from other rivers because of its distinct taste. 22-day ban on hilsa fishing to begin on Oct 12: Fisheries Minister

The price of hilsa, a treat Bengalis look forward to during the monsoon, is still high despite ample supply in the wholesale markets of Chandpur district. The national fish of Bangladesh is still out of reach of the average buyer. During a recent visit to Chandpur Boro Station fisheries ghat, this correspondent found people busy loading and unloading hilsa as 2,000-2,500 maunds of the fish are coming from the southern districts of the country every day on average. Read more: Hilsa Ilisha: The National Fish and Silver Pride of Bangladesh Transportation of hilsa starts from 10 am till afternoon through trucks, pick-up vans and trawlers at the wholesale markets and some 500 workers in the ghat area are involved in loading and unloading the fish. Hilsa, weighing 700-900 grams each, are of decent sizes too. People from Dhaka’s Karwanbazar, Azampur, Abdullahpur, Uttara; Gazipur’s Tongi; Tangail; Kishoreganj; Jamalpur, Mymensingh; Sreemangal; and Sylhet come to the wholesale market in Chandpur and take hilsa via trucks and train. One kg hilsa is being sold at Tk 1,500 while in the retail market it is being sold at Tk 1,800-2,000 and hilsa weighing 500-700 grams is being sold at Tk 900-1,100. The silver fish weighing 900 grams is being sold at Tk 1,400-1,500. 2-month ban on Hilsa fishing to end Sunday midnight

Price of the much sought after hilsa fish is coming down as the largest wholesale ‘Boro Station Market’ in Chandpur district is flooded with catches. After the 65-day ban on fishing in the Bay ended on July 23, the Boro Station Market is abuzz with the presence of fishermen, traders and workers related to the fishing industry. With complaints, Chandpur fishermen gear up to catch hilsa Visiting the market recently, UNB’s Chandpur correspondent found a large number of fishing trawlers and trucks coming to the Fisheries Ghat carrying hilsa netted from the coastal areas of Bhola, Hatiya, Char Fashion, Laxmipur and adjacent areas. Locals were busy loading and unloading the catches at the fisheries ghat. Traders said a total of 500 maunds of fish reached the market, forcing them to lower the price of hilsa due to abundant supply. 2-month ban on Hilsa fishing to end Sunday midnight One kg hilsa fish is being sold at Tk 1800 which was Tk 2200 before, while a fish weighing 500-750 grams is being sold at Tk 1200-1300 which was Tk 1500 before. Bari Manik Jamadar, president of Fish Traders Association, Chandpur, said the supply of hilsa has increased over the last three days but not as much as in the previous year. Some traders said some dishonest fishermen netted ‘jatka’ (fry), which negatively impacts the catches. Cox’s Bazar fishermen rejoice as Bay swarms with Hilsa Dr. Md Anisur Rahman, an expert in Chandpur Fisheries Research Institute, told UNB, “River water has degraded due to climate change, pollution and unabated sand lifting. We should save the rivers. Besides, the natural movement of fish has been disrupted due to the shoals.” He also hoped for satisfactory catches of hilsa fish in the coming days during the full moon.

The two-month ban on hilsa fishing — in the 70 km Padma-Meghna sanctuary area in Chandpur — imposed by the government to protect “jatka” (hilsa fry), will end at 12am tonight. With the ban lifted, fishermen are preparing to resume hilsa fishing. Chandpur district has around 44,000 registered fishermen, and they will start fishing from Shatanal of Matlab Uttar upazila to Charbhairavi of Haimchar upazila.  However, fishermen have complained about the full implementation of the ban. Also Read: 2-month ban on Hilsa fishing to end Sunday midnight Majority of locals in Chandpur’s Padma-Meghna sanctuary area earn their living through fishing and farming. After being unemployed for two months, fishermen have repaired their boats and nets in preparation for the resumption of fishing. Fishermen were seen busy repairing nets and boats in different areas of the district.  Some people come from different parts of the district just to repair nets at this time. However, fishermen fear that they will not get the expected amount of fish because fishermen from Munshiganj, Mohanpur, and Shariatpur areas kept catching jatka.  The fishing ban was not implemented properly, said Bahria area fisherman Shahjahan Khan.  Law enforcement needs to be tougher so that no fisherman can go to the river, he said. Also Read: 29 fishermen punished in Chandpur for violating ban on catching Hilsa The District Fisheries Officer, Golam Mehedi Hasan, said that the district and upazila task force continued to make every effort to implement the two-month ban to protect the national resource hilsa.  A total of 371 people were jailed from March 1 to April 28 for violating the law and were sentenced to various terms. With a view to boost the production of hilsa, the government imposed the two-month ban on hilsa catching, selling, hoarding and transporting from March 1 till April 30. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock allocated 40 kg of rice for each registered fisherman during this ban period. Hilsa has the highest contribution to the country's fish production as the single fish species. Every year, the government imposes a two-month ban on catching, selling, hoarding and transporting hilsa to boost production.