Nearly 100 maunds of hilsa caught in one trawler near Kuakata, delighting fishermen and traders. Photo : BSS

PATUAKHALI, Aug 27, 2026 (BSS) - Nearly 100 maunds of hilsa were caught at once in a fishing trawler in the Bay of Bengal near Kuakata in the district.

When the trawler returned to the Alipur-Mohipur fishing port on Wednesday afternoon with a huge quantity of hilsa, fishermen, wholesalers, and traders were delighted. Later, the hilsa were sold for around Taka 3 million through a day-long auction at Sifat Fish in Alipur.

According to local sources, the trawler FB Abdullah, carrying 15 fishermen led by its skipper Badsha Mia, set out for deep-sea fishing one day earlier. 

The crew took provisions and supplies worth around Taka 150,000 with them. After spending a day at sea, the fishermen caught a large quantity of hilsa in their nets in an area near the western buoy.

The trawler returned to the Alipur-Mohipur fishing port on Wednesday afternoon with the hilsa. 

Later, around 90 to 100 maunds of hilsa were sold through a day-long auction at Sifat Fish. The total sale value of the fish was approximately Tk 3 million.

Trawler skipper Badsha Mia told BSS that hilsa had been scarce in the sea for a long time. Suddenly, when they cast their nets in the western buoy area, they caught a huge quantity of hilsa. However, the fish were relatively small in size. 

Mizanur Rahman, a fish trader at Sifat Fish, told BSS that a trawler suddenly arrived at the landing point carrying 90 to 100 maunds of hilsa. 

The fish were sold through a day-long auction, generating transactions worth around Tk 3 million. He expressed hope that if hilsa continue to be caught regularly in this quantity, fish traders will be able to repay their previous debts and their businesses will regain momentum.

Kalapara Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Apu Saha told BSS that there had been a shortage of hilsa in the sea for some time due to the effects of climate change. 

At present, however, fishermen are catching hilsa in large numbers. The catch is likely to increase further if there is rainfall. This would benefit everyone involved in the hilsa trade, including fishermen and fish traders, he said.

The Alipur-Mohipur fishing port is one of the country's major marine fish landing centers. Various species of marine fish are bought and sold at the port every day. The catching of such a large quantity of hilsa at once after a long period has renewed hope among local fishermen, wholesalers, and traders. Those involved in the sector hope that if the abundance of hilsa continues, fish trading will regain further momentum during the current season.