Villagers in Sundarbans are eating expensive hilsa fish in breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Read why

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Sundarbans are relishing a bounty of hilsa fish, Bengal's favorite delicacy, consuming it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The local fishermen have netted large quantities of hilsa, but of a size that cannot be legally sold in Kolkata markets due to rules prohibiting the sale of 'khoka ilish' or juvenile hilsa. As a result, this abundant catch is being sold at low prices near the rivers and the Bay of Bengal coastline in the Sundarbans region.

While the standard minimum weight for hilsa available in markets is 500g, the local markets in Frazerganj, Namkhana, Kakdwip, and Diamond Harbour are offering hilsa ranging between 90g and 300g in abundance. Residents of the region are enjoying the surplus hilsa, with some even having fried hilsa with morning tea. For a mere Rs 80 to Rs 150, villagers can buy hilsa weighing around 120g and 250g respectively from markets at Baghdanga and Baliara in the mornings.

The huge catch of hilsa in the coastal areas of Sundarbans is attributed to steady easterly winds and sporadic rain over the past week. It is estimated that the cumulative catch is around 1,000 tonnes. This season's catch primarily comprises juvenile hilsa, which should have escaped the fishing nets.

However, the illegal use of fine mesh under 90mm, banned to protect these young fish, has contributed to the situation. Even prohibited nets such as bag nets, drag nets, gill nets, and troll nets within 12 nautical miles of the coastal area are being employed. While the authorities initially took action to seize juvenile hilsa catches, a lull in enforcement led to significant quantities of these young fish landing in markets.