1 week ago

Rough Weather Lowers Hilsa Catch, Leaving Bengal Fishermen Facing Losses

Hilsa fishing restarted on June 15 after a two-month ban.

This year, strong and unpredictable weather made fishing difficult.

Fishermen could not place their nets properly in the sea.

Many spent more money on fuel and trips than they earned from selling fish.

One fisherman said he lost about ₹50,000 on each trip.

Because of these losses, some fishermen stopped going to sea.

The smaller supply has made hilsa more expensive in Calcutta markets.

Fishermen have started trying again, hoping the weather improves and more fish are caught.

Key facts

Fishing season: Began June 15 after the annual ban from April 14 ended.
Reported loss: Anibash Das said he lost around ₹50,000 per trip after five trips.
Trip cost: Gill-net fishing costs around ₹1.5 lakh per trip; trawling costs around ₹3.5-4 lakh.
Typical annual catch: South 24-Parganas and East Midnapore coasts usually produce around 4,000-6,000 tonnes of hilsa.
Current prices: Hilsa weighing 800 grams to slightly over one kilogram costs around ₹1,400-2,000 in Calcutta markets.
Usual prices: During the monsoon, fish below one kilogram usually costs ₹900-1,000, while slightly larger fish costs around ₹1,400.
Fuel costs: Fuel alone costs around ₹1-1.5 lakh for a gill-net fishing trip.

telegraphindia.com · 1 week ago