Hilsa Decline: West Bengal Fishermen Face Tough Season

Hilsa fish yields in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district have drastically reduced this season, forcing fishermen to adapt. Factors like pollution and indiscriminate netting are blamed for the drop. While local supplies remain unaffected, rising fuel costs add financial pressure to trawler operations.

Hilsa fish yields have sharply declined in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district this season, with trawlers netting 25-30 tonnes a day compared to 50 tonnes two years ago, according to a fishermen's organisation representative.

Despite the drop, fishermen’s organisations do not anticipate an immediate impact on city market supplies. However, shipments from Bangladesh remain seasonal, occurring only during the September-October festive period.

Bijan Maity, general secretary of the Kakdwip Matsya Unnayan Samity, reported that only about 70 of the 1,000 trawlers in the Kakdwip-Diamond Harbour area have been actively fishing for Hilsa since mid-June.

The current season runs from June to September, a period when Hilsa migrate from the sea to rivers to spawn. ''Daily Hilsa hauls have decreased to 15-20 tonnes compared to 50 tonnes two years ago and 100 tonnes five years ago,'' Maity stated.

He cited pollution and indiscriminate netting of juvenile Hilsa as reasons for the reduced yield. He stressed that fish shorter than 23 cm or weighing less than 500 grams should ideally be released but said some fishermen still catch these smaller fish for quick profit.

Maity is optimistic that yields may improve with favourable weather conditions. However, he noted that rising diesel prices have increased trawler operating costs from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh, complicating financial recovery for fishermen.

''We hope yields will increase with continued rainy and windy conditions,'' he added.

In the Digha-Mandarmani belt, another key Hilsa hub, catches have also been below expectations due to insufficient rainfall, according to a spokesperson from the Digha Fishermen and Fish Traders Association. Imports from Bangladesh remain restricted except during Durga Puja, while Myanmar currently sends about 25 tonnes per consignment.