Fish output scales all-time high

The country's fish production has reached all time high of 3.55 million tonnes in the outgoing fiscal year (FY), 2013-14, thanks to an increase in output of Hilsa and aquaculture fish, officials and experts concerned said.
The Department of Fisheries (DoF) data revealed that Hilsa contributed nearly 11.5 per cent of the total fish output in FY 14, which is also a record.
The overall fish production, including that of inland and sea water, was 3.41 million tonnes in FY 13, of which Hilsa was 0.385 million tonnes or 10.8 per cent.
The overall fish production achieved nearly 4.1 per cent growth in FY 14 over FY 13, according to DoF data.
An official at DoF told the FE that production of Hilsa and farm fish was outstanding in the outgoing fiscal year.
"Hilsa production was nearly 0.404 million tonnes in the outgoing fiscal year, with nearly 4 per cent growth compared to that of FY 13."
The government's ban on export of Hilsa, imposed in July 31, 2012, is contributing to increase its production, he said.
"The ban has reduced competition of catching mother fish. Providing various government subsidies to the Hilsa fishermen in five coastal districts also helped a lot."
He also said aquaculture fish farming achieved nearly 8 per cent growth in FY 14 over the previous fiscal.
"Fishes like Pangas, Koi, Telapia, Shing and Magur are being cultivated using modern aquaculture methods, which, in turn is increasing their production," he added.    
When asked, ABM Zahid Habib, project director of 'Jatka Conservation, AIG for the Jatka Fishers and Research Project' under DoF told the FE that implementation of different time-befitting plans helps to raise Hilsa production.
The fisheries and livestock ministry and DoF have been working hard for the last five years to raise output and availability of the national fish, he said.
Nearly 0.226 million Hilsa fishers are being provided rice at free cost from February to May to stop fishing Jatka (immature Hilsa).
The project is also implementing a programme for alternate income generation (AIG) for 32,000 ultra poor fishermen during the period.
Farm economist Golam Hafiz Kennedy said ban on Hilsa is also helping to keep prices of other fish varieties at normal level.
"Hilsa was within the reach of a small section of people for the last few years due to its shortage in the domestic market, following unplanned export and frequent smuggling."
He said the country's fixed-income group people started consuming the national fish in recent times following its export ban in 2012.
"Demand for Hilsa is on the rise compared to other fish varieties. If price of Hilsa is reduced with available supply, it will surely cause a reduction in prices of other fish varieties."
"After rice, fish price is the most important factor, both in rural and urban areas, that influences the general consumer price index (CPI)," he added.
However, medium-sized Hilsa is now sold at Tk 400-550 (750 gm-850 gm) and small-sized Tk 150-350 (500 gm-700 gm) per piece across the country, which is 60-70 per cent lower than the prices compared to the first half of 2012, according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM).