FisheriesChittagong University research points to estuary plankton and the fat it builds; only about 2 per cent of Bangladesh's hilsa comes directly from the Padma, while most of the big, flavoursome fish are caught in the Meghna basin.
FisheriesThe consumer rights directorate fined a wholesaler Tk5,000 at Jashore Boro Bazar for passing off imported Indian hilsa as local catch.
FisheriesThe fish fetched Tk3,625 a kilogram at a Patuakhali auction, while researchers warn that large hilsa are becoming scarce.
Market ManagementFishermen are landing more fish ahead of the breeding-season ban and prices are down Tk 200-500 a kilo, yet stalls stood almost empty on Wednesday as shoppers worried about telling Padma hilsa from imported look-alikes.
FisheriesThe Department of Fisheries estimates the July-August catch fell 30 to 40 per cent year on year; a 22-day fishing ban runs from 8 to 29 October.
FisheriesA one-kilogram hilsa that cost about Tk 2,800 a week ago now sells for Tk 2,000, but with supply short even in peak season, shoppers say the price needs to fall much further.
FisheriesThe national task force on hilsa fixed the breeding-season ban on Tuesday; fishermen who stay ashore will get VGF food aid, and surveillance in Barishal, Chandpur and Bhola and the removal of illegal nets will be stepped up.
FisheriesFV Kulsuma sold 2,200 hilsa for Tk 2.64 million after five empty days at sea; 4,000 of the district's 6,000 trawlers are idle and hilsa landings have collapsed.
FisheriesRoe-heavy hilsa from Gujarat is moving into Bangladesh while the Fish Importers' Association of India seeks permission to buy Padma-Meghna hilsa before Durga Puja.
AgribusinessTwenty-two firms imported hilsa through the land port in July and August, 91.66 percent of it in August; in Jashore the foreign fish sells for about Tk 2,000 a kilo less than local hilsa, and officials want it labelled as Indian.
FisheriesNineteen firms brought in about 70 million taka worth of hilsa through Benapole in July and August, most of it caught off Gujarat.
AgribusinessRoe-laden hilsa landed at Bharuch is going to Bangladesh as a trial run, says Howrah Fish Importers' Association secretary Syed Anwar Maksud, whose association is meanwhile lobbying Dhaka for Padma hilsa before the Pujas.
AgribusinessThe Fish Importers' Association of Kolkata has written to Khandaker Abdul Muktadir seeking a permanent end to the ban in place since July 2012, saying the limited Durga Puja permits since 2019 are not enough.
