Bangladesh fishers expected a strong hilsa season. Many are returning with empty nets.

Fishers across hilsa sanctuaries in Bangladesh’s Barishal division are returning with few fish during the peak monsoon harvest season, leaving thousands facing financial hardship.

About 2,000 fishers in a village in Shibpur union are struggling as catches decline. Mohammad Kamal, a trader at the Bhola Sadar fish landing station, said he had made advance payments to fishing boats.

“Looking at the present scenario, I do not think I will recover my investment this year,” Kamal said to the Daily Star.

Government data show hilsa production rose from 258,000 tonnes in 2015-16 to 372,000 tonnes in 2022-23 before falling to 266,000 tonnes in 2025-26.

Md Mohsin, acting director of the Barishal Divisional Fisheries Office, said siltation, juvenile fishing and pollution may be disrupting migration.

Fisheries expert Mir Mohammad Ali also cited overfishing, harmful gear, submerged sandbars and insufficient dredging.