STAR BUSINESS REPORT

Over 80 percent of the world’s total hilsa production comes from the rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters of Bangladesh, said Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid, minister of fisheries, livestock and agriculture.

Bangladesh ranks first among the 11 hilsa-producing countries, he also said yesterday while speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, marking Jatka Conservation Week 2026.

Hilsa accounts for approximately 9.79 percent of the country’s total fish production and contributes around 1 percent to the national gross domestic product, according to the minister.

He said the government is continuing to implement timely and practical initiatives to protect hilsa resources and ensure sustainable production.

As part of these efforts, Jatka Conservation Week 2026 will be observed nationwide from April 7 to April 13.

About 600,000 people in Bangladesh are directly involved in hilsa fishing, while an additional 2 million to 2.5 million people are engaged directly or indirectly in related activities such as transportation, marketing, net and boat manufacturing, ice production, fish processing, and export.

The minister added that the programme, organised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, will be observed across 20 hilsa-rich districts.

Alongside a three-day central programme, various awareness campaigns will also be conducted at the district and sub-district levels.