Bangladesh government has earned 1.36 crore US dollars from exporting 1,352 tonnes of hilsa fish to India this year so far, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said today. Hilsa production has doubled in last 12 years and the rate of production is now 90 percent, he said. The minister revealed this information while speaking at a press briefing on ‘Mother hilsa conservation drive 2022’, held at the Secretariat. Like every year, the government is going to impose a 22-day ban on hilsa fishing – from October 7 to 28, he said. Hilsa catching, selling and transporting will remain prohibited in the 7,000 square km area during the period to ensure the safe spawning of the hugely popular fish during its peak breeding period, he added. “Those found violating the law will face legal action including imprisonment and fine. None will be spared,” said the minister. Besides, the government will take strict action against those involved in creating any obstruction on the development of hilsa resources. During this ban period all activities including catching, selling and transportation of hilsa will be prohibited in 20 districts including Chandpur, Laxmipur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Dhaka, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Faridpur, Rajbari, Manikganj and Munshiganj districts, he said. The ice factories of the districts will be closed as well during the ban, he added. Meanwhile, fishermen of 18 districts including Gopalganj, Narayanganj, narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Tangail, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Sirajganj, Natore, Bagura, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Brahmanbaria, Khulna, Kushtia, Narail and Jamalpur districts will be allowed to catch other fish except hilsa. Mobile courts will conduct drives day and night in all rivers of 38 districts, fisheries ghat, wholesale markets, chain shops and other markets to discourage people from catching and selling hilsa fish, he said. Alongside police, local administration, Navy personnel, Air Force, Coast Guard, Rab, river police and Fisheries Department will jointly conduct the drives.  

A Supreme Court lawyer on Sunday served a legal notice on the government  to halt export of hilsa, a sought-after fish, to India in next seven days.   Lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan sent the notice to the relevant authorities saying that the export of the popular fish has led to an increase in its price in the local market. Unless it is stopped a writ a petition will be filed before the High Court to take an action in this regard, said the notice. The notice has been sent to the commerce ministry, fisheries and livestock ministry, foreign ministry, civil aviation and tourism secretary, chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR), Office of Chief Controller of Imports and Exports, chairman of Bangladesh Tourism Corporation.   Also read: With Hilsa catch declining, Bagerhat fishermen stare at penury “Hilsa is Bangladesh’s national fish and yet poor people in the country cannot think of buying it while middle class also struggle due to its high price.  At Bangladesh markets hilsa is being sold at Tk 1,000 to 1,200 per KG,” said the notice. Hilsa from River Padma gets sold at Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,500 as a limited amount of fish can be harvested from there, it said. “It is a matter of regret that the commerce ministry without considering national demand has permitted to export hilsa to India that too at a price lower than that in market here,” said the notice. Hilsa is not a freely exportable product according to Bangladesh Export Policy 2021-24. “The ministry of commerce has allowed the export of hilsa to India completely unjustly, ignoring the public interest”, said the SC lawyer in his notice. Hilsa, a popular fish mostly among the Bengalis in both Bangladesh and India, is found in plenty mainly in Meghna and Padma rivers during the monsoon. Also read: Barguna fishermen rejoice at abundant hilsa catch Bangladesh exports limited quantity of the fish to India especially before the celebration of Durga Puja, the biggest festival of Bengali Hindus who crave it most during this time. The festival will be celebrated first week of next month both in Bangladesh and neighbouring West Bengal.

Bangladesh is going to export 1,450 tonnes of hilsa to India on the eve of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community.