After weeks of anticipation, the much-coveted hilsa has finally returned to the nets of fishermen in the Bay of Bengal. Fishing trawlers laden with hilsa are now arriving at shore, bringing along other varieties of marine fish, including rupchanda.
While the abundant catch has brought smiles to the faces of fishermen and traders, soaring prices are keeping the prized fish beyond the reach of ordinary consumers.
Cox’s Bazar’s Fishery Ghat, once again bustling with trade and activity, has regained its vibrancy with the arrival of hilsa.
Despite the increase in supply, prices remain stubbornly high. Depending on size, hilsa is selling between Tk 1,500 and Tk 3,500 per kilogram—well above what most households can afford.
According to sources at Cox’s Bazar Fish Landing and Wholesale Market, around 180 tons of hilsa were netted last month, with expectations that the catch will continue to rise in the coming weeks. However, traders say prices are unlikely to drop anytime soon.
Many attribute the steep rates at the beginning of the season to efforts by traders to recover from earlier losses caused by weeks of rough weather, during which fishing was suspended.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
