Accra:The government has introduced several initiatives to enhance the production of hilsa, the national fish, through increased law enforcement, efforts to prevent the killing of juvenile hilsa (jatka), mobile court operations, restoration of river navigability, and higher allocations under the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programme for fishermen.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, experts emphasize that production will only recover if fishermen are actively involved and their livelihoods are balanced with conservation efforts. Fisheries Department officials noted that although hilsa production can vary, there is no immediate cause for concern.
Md Abul Kalam Azad, deputy director of the Department of Fisheries' Hilsa Resource Management Section, mentioned that the previous "Hilsa Resource Development and Management Project" has concluded, but a new project titled "Sustainable Development of Hilsa through Conservation of Mother Hilsa and Jatka" is being planned. This project will focus on law enforcement, mobile courts, and employment, with VGF coverage increasing from 6.20 lakh to 6.46 lakh.
State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, stressed the collective responsibility in protecting hilsa and the importance of enforcing the 22-day fishing ban from October 8 to 29. He reiterated that hilsa is a national asset and a GI product.
Dr. Masud Rana of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University highlighted several factors contributing to the decline in hilsa production, including overfishing and environmental changes. He advocated for the use of technology, such as satellite tracking and AI, to monitor and manage hilsa stocks effectively.
Prof. Md Abdul Wahab from Bangladesh Maritime University pointed out that hilsa production has declined over the past two years, despite previous growth due to various conservation measures. He recommended reassessing the timing of the fishing bans and focusing on preventing the use of illegal nets.
Hilsa remains crucial to the economy, with millions of people involved in various aspects of its production and distribution. Despite challenges, Bangladesh continues to rank high in global fishery statistics, particularly in hilsa catch, which was awarded Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2017.