Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s hilsa fish population is experiencing a significant decline as climate change impacts breeding cycles, posing threats to food security and the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and shifting river flows are disrupting the natural habitat of this national fish, causing alarm among local communities and researchers.
According to United News of Bangladesh, researchers are warning of long-term risks unless urgent climate adaptation and river management measures are implemented. Despite being a geographical indication (GI) product and a significant source of income, the hilsa catch has diminished drastically. Fishermen report that even during peak seasons, the yield is far below expectations.
In Haimchar upazila, known as the hilsa capital, veteran fisherman Asad Hossain expressed his disappointment with the current season’s catch. Similarly, Subhas Paik from Shahrasti upazila noted that hilsa supply has nearly halved compared to previous peak seasons. This sentiment is echoed in Barishal’s Gajaria River, where large-sized hilsa have nearly vanished.
The Department of Fisheries reports a decline in hilsa production, with figures dropping from over 550,000 tonnes in previous years to 512,000 tonnes in the fiscal year 2024-25. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter attributes the decline to both natural and man-made factors, highlighting climate change as a major contributor. Rising sea temperatures and altered rainfall patterns have adversely affected hilsa breeding and survival.
The government’s annual 22-day fishing ban aims to protect breeding hilsa, but shifting rainfall patterns may be reducing its effectiveness. Experts suggest that the traditional ban period may no longer align with current breeding cycles due to climate-induced changes.
Professor Harunur Rashid of Bangladesh Agricultural University warns that the current extraction rate is unsustainable, advocating for a reduction in annual hilsa harvests. He also notes that excessive catching of immature hilsa is causing biological changes, leading to smaller-sized fish.
The National River Conservation Commission reports that many of Bangladesh’s rivers are losing navigability, with industrial pollution and reduced freshwater flow further impacting hilsa production. Experts emphasize the need for effective monitoring and management to protect hilsa migration routes and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Despite these challenges, Bangladesh remains a primary habitat for hilsa due to its ecological conditions. However, prolonged ecological degradation could alter migration patterns, affecting future generations of hilsa.