Local traders say around 5,000 tonnes of dried fish are produced here each year

Shutki (dried fish) is a beloved yet divisive food in Bengal, with varieties like chepa, lakkha, and nona ilish. From necessity to culinary tradition, it’s a staple across regions, valued for its preservation, flavours, and cultural significance.

Dried fish or shutki maach is a glorious example. In Bangladesh, the popularity of dried fish is rising and there is a thriving shutki trade