Photo : BSS

LAKSHMIPUR, May 1, 2026 (BSS) - After a two-month ban, around 52,000 fishermen in the district have resumed fishing in the Meghna River. 

Fishing activities began from midnight. Since Friday morning, fish landing stations have become lively with the calls of buyers and sellers. However, fishermen have reported that the expected quantity of fish is not being caught.

Hilsa weighing around one kg is being sold for Taka 1,700–1,800. Depending on size, hilsa prices range from Taka 1,000 to 1,500 per kg, sources from several fish markets including Maju Chowdhury Hat Ghat, Motirhat, Ludhua, Chairman Ghat, and Char Alexander told BSS.

Fishermen said they have returned to fishing after a long break and are spending busy days and nights in the river. 

However, hilsa catches are comparatively low. They expected more fish, but the catch is not meeting expectations. They are hopeful that fish availability will increase in the coming days. They also believe that the recent conservation campaign will boost hilsa production.

According to the Fisheries Office, there are about 52,000 registered fishermen in the district who depend on fishing in the Meghna River for their livelihoods. 

To protect juvenile hilsa (jatka) and increase production, all types of fishing were banned for two months—from March 1 to April 30—along a 100-kilometer stretch of the river, from Alexander in Ramgati, Lakshmipur, to Shatnol in Chandpur. 

During this period, catching, transporting, marketing, and storing hilsa were strictly prohibited.

After the ban was lifted, fishermen have returned to the river.

District Fisheries Officer Md. Delwar Hossain told BSS that the campaign was successful. He said that although hilsa catches are currently low, there will be an increase soon. With rainfall and rising water levels in the river, fish production is expected to grow, he added.