Rajbari:The once-abundant hilsa fish that filled the boats on the Padma River in Rajbari have largely vanished, leaving fishermen grappling with dwindling catches.
According to United News of Bangladesh, fishermen like Shukur Ali Haldar, who has fished in the Padma for nearly five decades, have observed a dramatic decline in hilsa due to the river losing its depth and current. Haldar recalled times when boats were filled with hilsa, a stark contrast to the present situation where the fish are scarce.
The area around Goalanda, historically a significant hilsa landing and trading hub, has seen its prominence diminish. Changes in the river's depth and flow, combined with environmental pressures and altered fishing practices, have contributed to the decline. Submerged chars have emerged, affecting navigability and the river's flow, further impacting the availability of hilsa.
Fishermen now have to venture further downstream to find suitable fishing grounds, often getting only one chance to cast nets every 16 to 17 hours. Illegal nets such as current nets and China-duari nets have also been blamed for decimating fish populations and their eggs.
Fish traders in Daulatdia Ghat have felt the impact, with businesses that once thrived on the hilsa trade now suffering. Traders like Chandu Mollah and Badal Biswas have witnessed a significant drop in the quantity of hilsa brought to market, with some traders relying on hilsa from other regions to sustain their businesses.
The decline in hilsa is part of a broader national concern, with the Department of Fisheries reporting a drop in hilsa production across Bangladesh. In fiscal year 2024-25, production fell to 512,000 metric tonnes from 529,000 tonnes the previous year. Environmental changes, pollution, and overfishing of mother hilsa and jatka are affecting the fish's movement and availability.
Rajbari District Fisheries Officer Md Mahbub Ul Haque noted that climate change is altering hilsa's size and availability, with the formation of submerged chars reducing river depth and navigability. Human-induced pollution and environmental changes are also disrupting the fish's normal movement.