Halda fish fry production may generate Tk55 crore in fisheries sector

Fish fry produced from eggs collected in the Halda River may generate around Tk55 crore in economic activity in the fisheries sector this season, according to researchers and fisheries officials.

According to egg collectors, fry producers, fisheries officials and researchers, mother fish released sample eggs for the first time during the third tidal phase following the full moon on 30 April after two earlier tidal phases had passed without spawning. Fish spawned in different parts of the river in phases throughout the morning, afternoon and late night.

Major spawning points included Ankurighona, Gorduara Noyahat, Sipahir Ghat, Pataijjar Tek, Kagtiar Tek, Sonair Mukh, Machuaghona, Azimar Ghat, Napiter Ghat, Amtua Kumar Khalir Tek, Ramdas Munshihat, Bariyaghona and Modunaghat.

This season, more than 500 collectors using around 208 to 250 boats collected eggs from the river. The eggs were later taken to hatcheries in Modunaghat, Shah Madari, Machuaghona, Ankurighona and Mobarakkhil for fry production.

So far, around 155kg of fry has been produced from nearly 6,000kg of eggs this season. Fry sales began on 5 May. Collectors said the fry is currently selling at Tk1.4 lakh to Tk1.6 lakh per kg.

Local fisheries officials said fry prices this season could range between Tk1.15 lakh and Tk1.9 lakh per kg.

Professor Dr Md Manzoorul Kibria, chairman of the Department of Zoology at the University of Chittagong and a Halda researcher, told TBS that mother fish released eggs during the third tidal phase of the season.

"The fry produced from the first batch of collected eggs could generate around Tk55.25 crore in economic activity in the fisheries sector up to the market stage," he said.

He added that three tidal phases had already passed and four more remained this season. Researchers hope mother fish may spawn again if environmental conditions remain favourable.

National award-winning egg collector Kamal Uddin Sawdagar of Gorduara and veteran collector Ashu Barua of Middle Madarsha said incomes were higher this season due to better market prices.

Meanwhile, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md Delwar Hossain visited the Shah Madari hatchery in Hathazari on Tuesday after learning about the spawning in the Halda River.

He exchanged views with egg collectors and fry producers during the visit.

Chattogram District Fisheries Officer Salma Begum, Halda project director Mohammad Nazim Uddin, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Shahed Arman and Senior Fisheries Officer Md Shawkat Ali were also present.