Fish price increases in Bangladesh

Fish prices increased further last week despite the end of a three-week-long ban on fishing in major sanctuaries in the country earlier this month. The government's 22-day fishing ban in major rivers and sanctuaries, especially in the coastal and central regions came to an end on November 4 last. The ban is imposed every year under the government's 'mother hilsa conservation programme'. But the end of the ban has not yet helped check the rising trend in fish prices in the post-fishing ban period, augmenting sufferings of the commoners. Traders said low catch of hilsa and other fishes both in the rivers and sea caused the hike. Hilsa was sold at Tk 600-1450 per kilogram (kg) based on size and quality on Saturday which was Tk 550-1200 a kg seven days back. Sweetwater or river fishes like pabda, ruhi, katla, shoul and shrimp witnessed a hike by Tk 50-100 per kg in the week. Pabda was sold at Tk 650-750 a kg while ruhi at Tk 380-450 a kg depending on size. Cultured pangasea, koi, ...