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Brood-hilsas flood Barishal market, even after end of ban

Our Correspondent, Barishal
Hilsa has started flooding the markets in Barishal, as the government lifted its 22-day ban on netting the national fish on October 30.
The government has been imposing such bans every year since 2003-04 to protect mother hilsas. The decision to impose the ban was made to ensure safe spawning of hilsa during its peak breeding season, according to officials at District Fisheries Office in Barishal.
Fishermen and traders say production of the fish increases every time the ban is properly implemented.
But this year, the situation seems to be different in Barishal, as most mother hilsas caught by fishermen are with eggs.
While visiting several wholesale and kitchen markets, traders claimed that around 10,000 maunds of hilsa have reached the markets so far and most are carrying eggs.
Bimal Chandra Das, district fisheries officer, hilsa, Barishal, said hilsa lays eggs all year round. 'However, September-October (Ashwin-Kartik) is the main breeding and spawning season for the fish. But
this year, a large number of netted hilsa is seen with eggs."
Hilsa follows the lunar-based rotation of season for breeding. Every year, the ban is implemented four days prior to the first full moon and it ends seven days after the new moon of Ashwin-Kartik month, said Abu Sayed, DFO of Barishal.
“However, even after the ban period, mother hilsas are found carrying eggs," he said, adding, 'Which means, the fish started conceiving just a few days before the ban period ended.*
The DFO said they have already sent their observations to the higher authorities so that they can look into the issue.
Meanwhile, fishers are also not sure what to make of the situation.
Sabur Hossain, a fisherman from Mehendiganj — who recently came to Barishal Port Road wholesale market to sell his catch — speculated that due to the delayed monsoon, hilsa released eggs after the ban period.
Bacchu Mia, a fisherman from Charfassion upazila of Bhola, said, “Usually after the ban is over, only a handful of hilsa are found with eggs. But it's different this time, which is quite strange. Maybe it's due to climate change."
Ajit Kumar Das, president of Matsya Aratdar Samty, said, “The breeding period of the mother fish may have changed. The authorities should look into it.'
Contacted yesterday, Dr M Anisur Rahman, senior scientific officer of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (riverine station, Chandpur), said, 'Around 47.76 percent hilsa laid eggs last year and we are also expecting the same this year. This happened because of the 65-day ban on fishing at sea and 22-day ban on netting hilsa."
'We are also taking measures to save jatkas (hilsa measuring less than 10 inches long). We are thinking of increasing the mesh size of nets to 5 centimetres so that jatkas won't be caught,' the official added.
About the netting of hilsas with eggs, he said, 'We have received information in this regard and are trying to find out the reasons behind it."
The official further said, "We have to remain cautious about climate change as well, which can have a long-term adverse effect on the fishing sector.'