Marine Fish Hilsa and Its Socio-ecological Significance for Bangladesh
Prof. Dr. Niamul Naser
Summary of the Presentation
Hilsa, the national fish of Bangladesh, is a very important part of our blue economy. Among the four fishing zones in the Bay of Bengal, hilsa is captured mainly from the Swatch of No Ground and South patches. According to a research conducted by Professor Naser, the fish accumulate mostly near the Sundarbans region. During spawning time, they migrate to the Meghna estuary. The migration happens all over the year but it is at the peak when they release eggs during the late monsoon. Therefore, hilsa has a very dynamic life cycle. Due to this dynamic nature, it is necessary to take proper steps for its conservation.
The hilsa can be conserved through two management aspects: social and biological management. Social management is implemented by helping the fisherman with providing alternative income sources during the spawning season. In addition, the biological management involves the banning of capturing hilsa during their reproduction season and catching the baby fishes (Jatka). However, there are some challenges for hilsa management in Bangladesh. The main challenges are the economic constraints and food crisis of fishermen, lack of knowledge about the complex life cycle of hilsa, potential genetic drift in the fish, environmental threats and the ignorance of the Bay of Bengal’s ecosystem. Proper strategic planning can help to overcome these challenges.
Additionally, we need to draw more attention to exploring the fish habitats, river pollution, climate change and its effect on hilsa, and transboundary water governance between India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Above all, there should be a multidimensional management practice to ensure sufficient production of the marine fish hilsa.
