Hilsa prices had gone up in Mongla of Bagerhat ahead of the nationwide 22 day long ban on catching Hilsa. Ordinary buyers have flocked to the fish market for last minute shopping.
Hilsa catching, buying, selling, transportation and stocking is banned across country from October 4 to October 25. That is why the traders had increased the price of Hilsa in Mongla fish markets.
Md Afzal Faraji, President of the Mongla Port Fishermen's Cooperative Society, admitted that since Hilsa is not available in the rivers adjoining the Sundarbans, including the Mongla River, they have to be procured from Mokam at higher prices. That is why their traders are also selling Hilsa at higher prices.
Visiting Mongla fish markets on Sunday (October 3) it was seen that, Hilsa weighing one and a half kg were being sold at Tk 1,800 to 1,900 and Hilsa weighing one kg were being sold at Tk 1,400 to 1,500.
Read more: 22-day ban on hilsa fishing begins
Buyers Nizam Uddin and Wasim Arman said right before the ban of Hilsa catching, people were buying Hilsa at a higher price from the market as compared to last week. The daily market cost of buying a Hilsa fish had increased for them. They urged the administration to pay attention to this issue in future.
Mongla Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md Zahidul Islam said a ban has been imposed on catching Hilsa from October 4 to October 25 to increase the reproduction of Hilsa in the sea and rivers. During this time, those who will catch, buy, sell, transport and stockpile Hilsa will be fined by the mobile court.