Hilsa catch drops 10% in 5 years, govt launches 22-day fishing ban

The hilsa catch in the country has dropped by around 10% over the past five years, prompting the interim government to impose a 22-day ban on catching, transporting and selling the national fish next month.

Announcing the “Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025” at a press conference on Monday, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said hilsa catches in July and August were already down by more than a third compared with last year, while exports had slumped to a fraction of their former levels despite increased quotas.

According to Department of Fisheries data, the total hilsa catch in July and August this year was 35,993.50 tonnes – 22,941.78 tonnes or 38.93% less than the same period in 2024. July’s catch fell by 33.20% and August’s by 47.31% year on year.
The fisheries adviser further said significant hilsa exports from Bangladesh took place in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 fiscal years. 

In 2010-11 (FY11), exports amounted to 8,538.77 tonnes of hilsa, earning Tk352.49 crore in foreign exchange. In FY21, the approved export quota was 1,875 tonnes, and the actual export was the same, valued at Tk154 crore. In FY22, 4,600 tonnes were approved, but actual exports were 1,211 tonnes, worth Tk113 crore.
In FY23, the approved export quota was 3,000 tonnes, while actual exports reached 1,376 tonnes, earning Tk148 crore. In FY24, the quota was 3,550 tonnes, but exports fell to 665 tonnes, valued at Tk85 crore. In FY25, the quota was 2,420 tonnes, while actual exports were 574 tonnes, valued at Tk68 crore. For FY26, the approved quota is 1,200 tonnes and exports are ongoing.

She said that overall, compared to the approved quota, actual exports have gradually been decreasing.
The adviser said that the Ministry of Commerce has set the export price of hilsa at $12.50 per kg ($1 = Tk121.72). At this rate, 81.438 tonnes of hilsa worth Tk12.39 crore was exported through Benapole land port. In addition, 22.26 tonnes, valued at Tk3.38 crore, were exported through Akhaura land port.
22-day hilsa fishing ban for maximum impact

Farida Akhter announced that this year, a 22-day special campaign will be conducted from 4 October to 25 October to protect mother hilsa during spawning. During this time, fishing, transporting, marketing, and storing hilsa will be banned.
She said the decision was made based on scientific research regarding breeding seasons. The Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), and other stakeholders, particularly fishers, helped determine this timeframe. 

The adviser explained that the main breeding season for hilsa falls between 19 Ashwin and 9 Kartik 1432 (4-25 October, 2025). The 22-day ban covers four days before the Ashwini full moon and three days after the new moon. Both phases are critical for spawning, so including both ensures maximum reproduction. This programme is called the “Mother Hilsa Conservation Campaign 2025.” Fisheries officials, naval police, Coast Guard, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, and other law enforcement agencies will take part in the operation. 
Regarding government support for fishers, she said that 620,140 fishing families in 165 upazilas of 37 districts will receive VGF (rice), with each family allocated 25 kg. In total, 15,503.50 tonnes of rice will be required.

She added that during the campaign, the intrusion of trawlers from outside waters will be strictly controlled. All river dredging will be stopped, and hilsa fishing will remain completely banned in rivers, seas, coasts, and estuaries during the 22-day breeding season.
Citing BFRI research, she said that due to the 2024 ban, 52.5% of mother hilsa were able to spawn safely, resulting in 44.25 billion juvenile hilsa being added to the population. These juveniles will eventually grow into mature hilsa.
She expressed regret that she could not bring good news about lowering the high market price of hilsa in Bangladesh, although maximum efforts were made to control prices.

She also said that according to the Ministry of Commerce, the export price of hilsa is $12.50 per kg. As of 25 September 2025, the exchange rate was Tk121.72 per dollar.
According to reports published in newspapers, although the domestic market price of hilsa is high, it remains lower than the export price, making it difficult for exporters to earn adequate profits.