Assam: Surge in Ilish fish abundance in Dhubri’s Brahmaputra; fishermen urged to practice sustainable catching

The Brahmaputra River is currently experiencing an unexpected influx of Ilish fish, capturing the attention of local fishermen and traders alike. Typically scarce in these waters, Ilish have become a common catch in recent days, thanks to a yearly spawning phenomenon that occurs each October for about 10-12 days.

This annual event sees the herring species of marine eels migrating upstream to the Brahmaputra to spawn, leading to an impressive surge in their population. Prime spawning grounds are located near Medartari and Burha-Burhi in the Dhubri district, where fishermen have reported substantial hauls.

The sudden abundance has also affected market prices, with Ilish now selling at a fraction of their typical cost. In the Dhubri fish market, eels weighing 500 grams are priced around Rs 400, while 1-kilogram Ilish fetch between Rs 900 to Rs 1000 . Smaller Ilish, weighing about 500 grams, are available for Rs 250-300 , providing a boon to local buyers.

Caught Ilish are being dispatched to markets in Siliguri, Cooch Behar, Meghalaya, and Guwahati, highlighting the regional demand for this delicacy. However, social worker Masud Akhtar Jaman has raised concerns over the sustainability of this fishery. He has urged the district administration and the fisheries department to implement measures to protect the spawning eels and prevent overfishing during this critical period.