Fishers aboard the FB Junaid trawler caught 46 maunds of hilsa in a single net cast in the Bay of Bengal off Kuakata, Patuakhali. The fish were auctioned at Monowara Fish market after the trawler arrived at Mahipur fishing port on Friday afternoon, selling for Tk 4.85 million. The large catch brought relief to fishers after a prolonged period of failing to find the desired volume of hilsa at sea.

According to fishers, the catch was made on August 6 near the final buoy of Payra seaport in deep waters, when about 2,200 hilsa were hauled in. Of the total, 24 maunds weighing one kilogram or more sold for Tk 115,000 per maund, generating Tk 2.76 million. The remaining 22 maunds, weighing 800 to 900 grams, sold for Tk 95,000 per maund.

Helmsman Alamgir said it was the largest such haul they had received together in about five years and expressed happiness after extended losses. Fisheries academic Dr Rajib Sarkar described the catch as reassuring and a source of hope for fishers. Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Apu Saha said continued rainfall could bring more hilsa in the coming period.