Bangladesh Bans Hilsa Fish Exports

DHAKA, July 5 Asia Pulse - The government has decided to impose a ban on hilsa export for next six months to ensure reasonable price of the delicious national fish on the local market.

"Stocking hilsa fish would also remain banned during the period. The gazette notification would be issued to this effect soon," an official declaration said Wednesday.

The government decision came from an inter-ministerial meeting held at Fisheries and Livestock Ministry today (Wednesday) with adviser Dr CS Karim in the chair.

The meeting noted that hilsa is still available on the market due to conducting government drives for protecting 'Jatka'. "But, despite sufficient supply of hilsa on the market, the price is not coming down," the official said.

As the main cause of exorbitant price, the meeting pointed out that huge quantities of hilsa are being exported and smuggled out to overseas markets both in legal and illegal way.

The meeting found out a paradox that export price of hilsha fish is lower than that in the country's markets.

Terming hilsa part of country's tradition, Adviser Karim said the silver fish catches from the natural sources in the country would be supplied to the countrymen.

He urged the hilsa traders to keep sufficient supply of hilsa fish on the market alongside ensuring its 'reasonable price'.

The adviser directed the authorities concerned, including joint forces, to investigate the matter of exporting a lot of 6,700 kgs of hilsha in exchange for only US$2.50 by an importer from Barisal in April.

The direction came following the export information presented by the Bangladesh Bank.

He also urged the coastguard and navy to strengthen the surveillance on the maritime areas.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Syed Ataur Rahman, Additional Secretary of Commerce Ministry Golam Mostakim, Director General of Fisheries Department Md Nuzrul Islam and representatives from different ministries and bodies, including joint forces and Bangladesh Bank, were present at the meeting.

(UNB)

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