The first hilsa catch of the season predominantly comprises the juvenile fish. Larger hilsa weighing between 400 g and 600 g have also been caught but their numbers are very low. Last week, an average of 130 trawlers brought in 80% small hilsa hauls with the remaining 20% consisting of other fish and larger hilsa. In the past two days, there has been a slight increase in the quantity of larger hilsa.
Ajed Ali Gaji, a fisherman, explained, “The fishermen were in dire straits during the ban period from April 15 to June 14, staying at home. Trawler owners face significant expenses and pressure. During Eid, the guards on the India-Bangladesh river border are more relaxed, and many unscrupulous traders take advantage of this. They cross the border under the cover of darkness with their trawler lights off and capture juvenile hilsa indiscriminately. This has been happening for the past week, though it’s now reducing slightly. About 130 trawlers are bringing in 2.5 quintal-3 quintal of juvenile hilsa daily. This fish is then taken to Namkhana, Kakdwip and Patharpratima, and end up at Diamond Harbour’s Nagendra market. It’s an open secret that everyone knows but pretends not to. Juvenile hilsa is also sold in Murshidabad, Nadia and North 24 Parganas. The slightly larger fish are sold in city fringe markets, like Senhati, Behala, Dharapara, Kudghat, and Kasba.”
Expressing his concern, Bijon Maity, secretary of the Kakdwip Fishermen Association, said, “We are against catching small fish. We have warned and discussed this issue in many ways. While some listen, a few unscrupulous fishermen continue to do this in secret. We have also appealed to the traders to stop buying and selling small fish.” Jagannath Sarkar, secretary, Diamond Harbour Hilsa Market, said, “I am looking into the matter. It must be stopped.”
Principal scientist and head of the Kakdwip Research Centre, ICAR – Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture, Debasish De said, “As long as bottom-trawling with trawl nets continues, this problem will persist. Unless the rule of using 90 cm or 90 mm net mesh is strictly followed, we can’t solve this issue. Awareness needs to be increased.”
“We experience a second migration here. The first peak migration is from Oct 15 to Nov 15, and the second is from the end of Feb to the end of March. Attention must be paid during these times as well, and restrictions should be imposed on fishermen if necessary. The third migration is from June 15 to April 14. Restrictions similar to those during this period should be imposed during the other two migration periods,” De added.
The hilsa fishing industry is at a critical juncture, with experts and stakeholders calling for stringent measures to preserve this vital fish population and ensure sustainable fishing practices.