Government to curb baby hilsa fishing through awareness campaigns

Hilsa is probably one such fish that every citizen of Bengal is fond of and thus, the conservation of the same has to be taken care of. Following this sentiment, the Bengal government will campaign against catching baby hilsa — which is commonly known as khoka ilish. The state Fisheries department recently decided to initiate a campaign among fishermen, buyers and sellers to refrain them from catching baby hilsa, weighing less than 500 gram.

But earlier, the government had some other plan. The department had decided to take strong steps against offenders including buyers who would get baby hilsa from the markets. The things turned around when state headquarters – Nabanna — instructed the department to soften the approach.

It was decided that only harsh legal steps alone cannot render the ultimate solution. Moreover, this might increase the problem by leaps and bounds. The Fisheries department, which was planning to start a process that would introduce strong legal provisions under CrPC and the IPC against catchers, sellers and buyers of hilsa weighing less than 500 gram, thus, retreated from its position.

"At this time, we are not thinking about such strong legal steps. It can be done via vigorous campaigning against catching of baby hilsa. We'll create consensus among the fishermen communities that this thing will harm their trade," said Chandranath Sinha, state Fisheries minister.

"We are planning to organise workshops with fishermen, spread knowledge among the communities about the harmful effects of catching baby hilsas. And we believe that we will be able to express our thoughts and convey the message to them. This is the only way to bring out the ultimate solution of this problem," the minister added while talking to the Millennium Post.

However, it may be mentioned, that the Fisheries department earlier had decided to approach the state Home department to start the process of bringing provisions under the CrPc and the IPC in this regard.

At present, there is a regulation by which, police along with the state Fisheries department, can seize nets, rods and other fishing instruments from offending fishermen. The fish that the accused catches can also be seized. But the police or the department do not have the power to arrest any fishermen for this offence.

Meanwhile, fishermen cannot catch hilsas of any size during pre and post monsoon seasons. The experts say, in this particular time, the fish migrates from the Bay of Bengal to the river Hooghly. Hilsas lay eggs in this period of time.

The experts and the fishermen define baby hilsa as less than 9 inches in length or weighing less than 500 gram. A full grown fish may weigh up to 2.5 kg. A fish normally gets its full size in two years and lives upto four years.

However, traders feel that a strong law is necessary to restrict the catching of baby hilsa. "Only a strong law can combat this problem. I am not hopeful about the outcome of a strong campaign against catching baby hilsas," said Atul Chandra Das, President, Hilsa Importers' Association.

As this is the pre-monsoon season, hilsas of the river Hooghly is not available in the markets of Kolkata and the city fish traders are importing the fish from Myanmar. The pre-monsoon season in Myanmar will start from April. Till then, the citizens of Kolkata will have to taste the quintessential fish made of the Myanmar species of hilsa.