In Barishal, the expected abundance of Hilsa fish during the peak season has not materialized. Despite strong river currents and the onset of the monsoon, fishermen report catching very few fish even after casting nets all day. At Barishal’s Port Road fish market, only 50–60 maunds of Hilsa arrived on Tuesday morning, compared to several hundred maunds in previous years. Prices have soared, with one-kilogram Hilsa selling for Tk 2,500–3,000 and larger fish reaching up to Tk 4,500 per kilogram.

Local traders and fishermen expressed frustration, noting that Hilsa production has been declining for years. They said government conservation efforts have not yet yielded visible results, leaving both sellers and buyers in difficulty. Fishermen on the Meghna River reported severe hardship, with little to no income for a month due to the lack of fish.

Officials from the Department of Fisheries, however, remain optimistic. They stated that the main Hilsa season will begin in July and that sufficient rainfall could bring larger fish from the sea into rivers, improving supply later in the season.