Hilsa is the national fish of Bangladesh. It is a delicious food and Hilsa is also a symbol of Bengali culture, economy, riverine civilization and national identity. After being recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product internationally, national pride around Hilsa has increased. But can pride alone protect a natural resource? Pride can inspire, but it takes scientific management, effective laws, good governance and long-term political commitment to protect resources. Therefore, when there is a shortage of Hilsa in the market, abnormal price increases and an abundance of small fish even in the middle of the season, we have to admit that the reason is not unknown to us. Only the weakness in the implementation of these remedies is responsible for the shortage of Hilsa during today’s season.
Bangladesh is the largest Hilsa producing country in the world. The vast majority of the world’s total Hilsa production comes from the rivers and coasts of Bangladesh. The livelihood of millions of people is directly and indirectly associated with this sector. Its contribution to the national economy is also significant.
According to various research sources, Bangladesh is still the source of about 80 percent of the world’s hilsa production. The contribution of hilsa to the country’s economy is equal to about 1 percent of GDP; it provides about 10-11 percent of the total fish production as a single species. About 6-7 lakh people are directly and 2-2.5 lakh people are indirectly associated with hilsa-dependent livelihoods. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, hilsa production in the country was about 5.29 lakh tons. However, the previous year’s production was about 5.71 lakh tons. That is, production has decreased by about 8 percent in a year. This decline is not just a statistic; it is a warning message.
Yet the reality is that the cause of the problem is not unknown today. Our government agencies, researchers, university researchers, international studies, all have been talking about the same causes for years. But effective solutions are still fragmented, seasonal, and in many cases limited to paper and pen. However, now there is no need for more research to find the answer. The causes have been identified for many years.
The first reason is river degradation. Hilsa is a migratory fish. It comes from the sea to the river to lay eggs. But many rivers in the country have lost their navigability today. Silt has accumulated, illegal encroachment has increased, and water quality has deteriorated due to industrial and urban waste. If the natural flow of the river is disrupted, the reproduction of Hilsa will also be disrupted, this is the law of nature. If the river is seen only as a canal to carry water, then the future of Hilsa will also be narrowed.
The second reason is the killing of jatka. The government bans jatka harvesting at a specific time every year. This initiative also has a positive impact. But the reality is that jatka fishing has not stopped in many areas. There is no point in blaming the fishermen alone for this. If a poor fisherman is not assured of food for his family during the ban, he will be forced to take the risk of breaking the law. Genuine fishermen are often deprived of government support, while unqualified people get benefits due to political influence or irregularities. As a result, the social basis of conservation policy is weakened.
The third reason is the free use of banned current nets and fine-mesh nets. Every year, raids are conducted, thousands of meters of nets are seized, but after a few weeks the same picture returns. Because the source of the problem is not being hit. Unless continuous action is taken against illegal net manufacturers, wholesalers and influential syndicates, it is not possible to achieve permanent results by conducting raids only in the river.
The fourth reason is climate change. Rising sea temperatures, changes in salinity, erratic rainfall, increased frequency of cyclones, and changes in river flows are affecting the normal life cycle of Hilsa. If fisheries resources are not given equal importance along with agriculture in climate adaptation plans, the crisis will worsen in the future.
Another important issue is the market system. The rate at which prices in the retail market increase even though production has decreased slightly is not only due to a production deficit. The city consumer is forced to buy fish at a price several times higher than the price at which the fishermen sell it. Middlemen, shopkeepers, hoarders and weak market supervision further accelerate this price increase. As a result, hilsa is gradually going beyond the reach of the common people. The national fish is in danger of becoming a festive dish only for the upper class.
The Geographical Indication (GI) recognition of Hilsa is undoubtedly a matter of prestige for Bangladesh. It has increased Bangladesh’s profile in the international market. But GI recognition does not increase the number of fish. It does not depollute the rivers, protect the Jatka, close illegal nets or break the market syndicate. GI is just a recognition of identity; it is not an alternative to preserving resources. Therefore, before being proud of Hilsa, we must fulfill our responsibility to protect the habitat of Hilsa.
Bangladesh has taken positive initiatives to conserve Hilsa, such as establishing sanctuaries, banning fishing during the breeding season, rehabilitation of fishermen, and awareness programs. These initiatives have also significantly increased production in the past. However, the recent slowdown in production growth and a downward trend in some years indicate that new strategies are needed to sustain previous successes.
Experts have been saying for a long time that Hilsa management should not be seen as the responsibility of the Department of Fisheries alone. The Water Management Authority will protect the rivers, the Department of Environment will control pollution, the local government and social welfare sector will ensure alternative employment, and trade-related organizations will ensure transparency in the market. In other words, it needs to be an inter-ministerial, coordinated program.
Bangladesh’s river management also needs to be rethought. The dredging of rivers, their natural flow, upstream-downstream connectivity, pollution control, and conservation of aquatic biodiversity must all be taken into consideration. Seeing rivers only as part of infrastructure development will not ensure the long-term future of Hilsa.
It is also important to reform our Hilsa market. We need to reduce unnecessary middlemen in the supply chain from producer to consumer. If the cold chain, digital auction system and fishermen’s cooperatives are strengthened, fishermen will get a fair price, and consumers will also be able to buy fish at a comparatively lower price.
The biggest issue is political will. The responsibility does not end with imposing bans, conducting campaigns and organizing awareness programs every year. The implementation of the law must be impartial. If influential people or big businessmen break the law, equal action must be taken against them. Otherwise, people will not have confidence in the conservation policy.
We must remember that Hilsa is part of Bangladesh’s food security, river-based economy, and cultural heritage. If this resource is lost, it will not only harm the fishermen; it will also harm the identity of a nation.
Therefore, the seasonal shortage of Hilsa cannot be attributed solely to natural disasters or luck. The causes of the problem have been identified long ago. River degradation, pollution, killing of Jatkas, illegal nets, climate change, weak market systems and poor policy implementation. What is needed now is a coordinated, science-based and accountable action against these causes.
The recognition of GI products is undoubtedly an honor for Bangladesh. But this resource has to be protected through far-sighted policies, effective implementation, research, environmental protection and public participation. If we really want to preserve Hilsa for future generations, then seasonal campaigns are not enough. For this, we urgently need to walk the path of permanent reform. Otherwise, the monsoon will come every year, there will be stories of Hilsa, but the presence of the national fish in the hands of the common man will gradually become rare. Then there will be pride in GI recognition, but there will be no abundance of Hilsa in the rivers; there will only be regret for a lost resource.
The reason for the shortage of Hilsa in our market has been identified long ago. Now it is necessary to take effective steps without making excuses. Because, the shortage of Hilsa in the season is not just a whim of nature. Nowadays, due to the cunning and greed of a few people, the supply crisis and the skyrocketing price of Hilsa in the market have turned into an extremely artificial crisis. This artificial crisis is a reflection of the limitations of our policy, management and implementation.
