Poor catch marks start of Hilsha season

Empty shops at Barisal wholesale fish market. PHOTO: STAR

The poor catch of Hilsha has worried traders in Barisal wholesale fish market. Many of them said they are incurring losses after giving money to fishermen in advance.

This correspondent during a visit to the market on June 10 saw only 25 mounds of hilsha there.

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Last year, at least 500 mounds Hilsha were brought to the marker daily. Over 2,000 mounds of hilsha were transacted till this time last year, they said.

Yusuf Ali, general secretary of Barisal District Wholesalers Association, said only 7,600 mounds of Hilsha were brought to Barisal fish market in last six weeks.

The price of the delicious fish is also higher this year. It sells at around Tk 11,000 per mound now.

Besides coastal areas, fishermen catch Hilsha in Meghna, Arial Khan, Kirtonkhola, Pacha, Andharmanik, Kalabadar, Tentulia and Paira rivers.

There are 132 wholesalers, 14 exporters and over 30 Hilsha traders in Barisal fish market. Most of the traders run their business by taking loans from different banks on interest and give the money to fishermen in advance.

But till now, they got very poor returns, many of them said.

On an average, around Tk. 30 core is invested in the business in a season. The traders said most of the wholesale Hilsha trading centers in Barisal fish market are still closed.