Hilsa back On diners' menu

With yield being abundant, Hilsa is back on the diners' menu bringing joy for both fishermen communities and fish lovers in Odisha.
Last week, a kilogramme of Hilsa fish was being sold as high as Rs 800-1000 range in Paradip and adjoining marketplaces. The price tag had reached prohibitive proportions.
But the prices have made a nosedive as per the market trend in Paradip in past two days following higher catch. It has come down to Rs 100-150 a KG, said a Fisheries department official.
"It's good news for fishermen. The return from seasonal Hilsa fish is a bonus for them. For past three years, hilsa catch was on a lower side. Those living on fishing wait for the hilsa season to earn the extra sum. But they were not able to reap additional benefits following low yield. We are hopeful of fishermen compensating the deficit of past years", said District Fisheries Officer, Gyan Ranjan Samal.

The 2-month-long fishing ban from April 15 to June 15 during the breeding season has apparently led to high yield. The fishing ban was effectively implemented this year. The fishermen also acted upon the government directions and stayed away from fishing during the prohibition period. Now they are reaping benefits by way of substantial Hilsa catch, he said.
The yield was negligible last week. But it picked up in past three days. Earning has also multiplied following rise in catch. "We have skipped fishing today due to bad weather. From tomorrow onwards, we are going to resume hilsa fishing", said a traditional marine fisherman, Ranjit Majumdar.

"Hilsa is now being sold at Rs 150-100 a kg range depending on its size. The price is expected to stay on the lower side in the coming days. Now it is within the affordable range of middle class and lower middle class buyers", said a local trader, Raghav Behera.
"We savour hilsa curry. Drop in price has given us the opportunity to buy hilsa", said a local Himanshu Dash.
Hilsa is a sensitive fish species. And its breeding ground is mostly concentrated in the confluence of river and oceanic waters. After being bred in fresh water, the fish makes its way to seawater again by undertaking a return journey to confluence points.