A Single Haul Brings in 200 Maunds of Hilsa

A total of 200 maunds of hilsa were caught in a single net haul by a trawler named FB Raisa in the Bay of Bengal. The fish were sold at the BFDC fish landing station in Patharghata, Barguna, for Tk 26,000 per maund, amounting to Tk 5.2 million, through an arat named Saif Fish.

On Wednesday (19 November) morning, the hilsa were sold at the BFDC landing station. Earlier, on Monday (17 November), the fish were caught about 70 kilometres into the deep sea from Kuakata.

According to available information, the trawler FB Raisa left Patharghata on 14 November with 17 fishermen. The hilsa were caught on the afternoon of 17 November after the net was cast. Each fish weighed approximately 300 to 400 grams.

Masud, the trawler master, said they set out for the sea on 14 November, and within the first three to four days, they caught only 400 fish. On the afternoon of 17 November, after casting the net and waiting for some time, they found the net full of hilsa. In that single haul, an estimated 18,000 hilsa were caught. After struggling for days without fish, such a large catch brought them great joy.

Trawler owner Rubel stated that fish have been scarce in the sea for a long time, causing continuous losses. The income from selling this hilsa catch will help recover some of those losses.

Aratdar Mostafa Alam said the fish were sold at his arat. A few days earlier, he sold around 150 maunds of fish from another trawler. Hearing that fishermen are getting good catches again is encouraging, he added.

Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of the Barguna District Trawler Owners’ Association, said hilsa had been scarce at the BFDC for a long time. The sudden arrival of 200 maunds of hilsa from one trawler has pleased them as well.

Khaborwala/TSN