Unsustainable fishing practices endangering Hilsa population in Ganga estuary
hilsa ecosystem in the Ganga estuary. The use of fine mesh nets, which trap even the smallest fish, is described by many as an act of temporal greed. This unsustainable practice is pushing the hilsa population to spawn in Bangladesh, where catching juvenile hilsa is a punishable offense.
While larger hilsa weighing between 400 g and 600 g are also caught, their numbers are significantly lower.
Last week, an average of 130 trawlers brought in hauls that were 80% small hilsa, with the remaining 20% consisting of other fish and larger hilsa. Recently, there has been a slight increase in the quantity of larger hilsa.
Ajed Ali Gaji, a fisherman, explained to TOI, «Fishermen were in dire straits during the ban period from April 15 to June 14, staying at home. Trawler owners face significant expenses and pressure.
During Eid, the guards on the India-Bangladesh river border are more relaxed, and many unscrupulous traders take advantage of this. They cross the border under the cover of darkness with their trawler lights off and capture juvenile hilsa indiscriminately. This has been happening for the past week, though it's now reducing slightly.
About 130 trawlers are bringing in 2.5 quintal-3 quintal of juvenile hilsa daily. This fish is then taken to Namkhana, Kakdwip, and Patharpratima, and ends up at Diamond Harbour's Nagendra market. It's an open secret that everyone knows but pretends not to.
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