Khalil Uddin Farid, Bhola

Although the Meghna River is at its fullest during the peak monsoon season, the much-anticipated abundance of hilsa has yet to arrive. Instead of returning with boatloads of the prized fish, most fishermen in Bhola are hauling in nearly empty nets, leaving thousands of fishing families facing uncertainty and financial hardship.

A visit to several fish landing stations in Bhola Sadar, Ilisha, Daulatkhan, Tajumuddin, Monpura and Char Fasson revealed a disappointing picture. Hundreds of fishing boats spend long hours on the Meghna and Tetulia rivers every day, yet catches remain far below expectations. The few hilsa being caught are insufficient to cover the costs of fuel, ice, labour and other operating expenses.

Fishermen said they strictly observed the government-imposed fishing ban and resumed fishing with high hopes after investing in repairing nets, purchasing diesel and arranging ice on borrowed money. However, poor catches have left many struggling to recover their investment.

Badsha Majhi, a fisherman from Nasir Majhi area in Bhola Sadar, said, “We spend the whole day on the river, but the fish we catch cannot even cover our fuel costs. We are worried about how we will feed our families.”

Sharif Majhi, a fisherman from Gachhir Khal in Char Fasson, said, “At this time last year, our trawlers returned full of hilsa. This season, we are hardly catching a few maunds. I have rarely seen such a poor season.”

The shortage of hilsa has affected not only fishermen but also fish traders, wholesalers, ice mill owners and transport workers. Business activities at several fish landing centres in Bhola have slowed considerably, with many traders spending long hours waiting for fish that never arrive.

Fisheries experts believe the temporary decline in hilsa catches may be linked to changes in river flow, salinity, adverse weather conditions, shifting currents and the migration pattern of hilsa in the Bay of Bengal. They remain hopeful that catches will improve in the coming weeks if environmental conditions become favourable.

Local fishermen have urged the government to provide emergency food assistance and easy-term financial support for registered fishing families suffering losses during the current season.

Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer of Char Fasson, Joyonto Kumar Apu, said climate change and the formation of submerged sandbars at river estuaries have disrupted the natural migration routes and breeding grounds of hilsa. He added that regular mobile courts are being conducted to curb illegal fishing using trawl nets and unauthorized trawler.

For the coastal people, hilsa is more than just a fish—it is a source of livelihood, a pillar of the local economy and a symbol of culture. As the Meghna remains unusually stingy during what should be the peak hilsa season, anxiety continues to grow among fishermen and businesses alike, all waiting for the river to once again yield its silver harvest.