The Hidden Cost of Hilsa Fishing: Bycatch and Why We Must Save It

Hilsa is the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s fisheries sector. It is one of the leading countries producing Hilsa with a large percentage of the total Hilsa production originating from Bangladesh every year. It is the national fish of our country, but it is not just a source of protein, it is intertwined with the ecology, economy, society and tradition of our country. However, beneath the surface of Hilsa Gillnet fishing, there is an urgent environmental concern: bycatch in Hilsa gillnet fishing.

What is bycatch?

Bycatch, also known as non-target species or unwanted species, refers to the species that are caught unintentionally and poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and even the long-term sustainability of Hilsa itself. While much attention is given to Hilsa protection and conservation in Bangladesh, the fate of the non-target species often goes unnoticed. The primary fishing gear used for Hilsa in my country is gillnet (mesh size 6.5 cm) which is designed to maintain the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for Hilsa species. As these drift gillnets do not discriminate between Hilsa and other species, species that are commercially and ecologically important species such as – Lates calcarifer, Polynemus paradiseus, Eleutheronema tetradactylum, Lepturacanthus savala, Pampus chinensis, Pampus argenteus are frequently ensnared. Most of these species have low reproductive rates and low resilience, making them highly vulnerable to overfishing.

I observed how bycatch species are often discarded as they have lower prices and limited market demand. These species are just thrown away by the commercial fishers. However, the ecological consequences of these unintended catches have far-reaching effects and these are unknown to most of the marginal fishermen. When top predators are removed from any ecosystem, it is inevitable that the marine ecosystem balance is disrupted, leading to unforeseen consequences such as species extinction, shifts in species dominance and loss of biodiversity.

So, why should we care?

Firstly, the loss of non-target species in gillnet fishing can have a cascading effect on our marine ecosystems as any ecosystem is composed of several interconnected species and alteration to any section of it will ultimately result in changing the entire ecosystem. Secondly, If fish species are exploited for years, can we leave resources for the next generation? Of course not. As these species are being exploited year after year, there is a high possibility that these species will go extinct (e.g., Pterotolithus maculatus, Setipinna phasa, Scomberomorus guttatus). Moreover, the decline of the bycatch species will indirectly affect Hilsa populations. There are many bycatch species that regulate the Hilsa populations by feeding on Hilsa larvae which maintains the ecological balance and also prevents resource depletion. So, disruption in this can result in unintended consequences and hamper the sustainability of Hilsa fishing industry. Finally, from a social perspective, there are many small-scale operators in coastal areas who depend on bycatch for additional income or fulfilling their family demand. They often collect the discarded fish and try to sell those to the local buyers so that they can earn some money and improve their financial situation. If they cannot sell those, they consume those fish species. However, the indiscriminate capture of various species can lead to population declines, making it harder for the marginalized coastal communities to find alternative income and protein sources in the long run.

So, what should we do to march forward sustainable fishing practices?

We need a multifaceted fisheries management approach in policymakers, researchers, and the coastal fishing community must be included. Some potential solutions could be-

Implementing Bycatch-Reduction Devices (BRDs): BRDs are simple yet effective tools that allow unwanted species to escape from fishing gear while it retains the target species. These devices can be a solution to let the bycatch species and protect vulnerable species from exploitation.

Enforcing Size and Mesh Regulations: There are several regulations on mesh size to reduce juvenile Hilsa catches. But these regulations are rarely complied by subsistence and commercial fishers. Also, though there are regulations regarding conservation of the Hilsa but no such rules or initiatives have been taken for other species such as Setipinna phasa, Scomberomorus guttatus. Therefore, to minimize unintentional captures, we need to expand and enforce regulations for bycatch species.

Total Allowable Catches (TACs): To maintain any fish stock at the target reference point and to rebuild any stock, TACs should be implemented. It refers to the maximum amount of fish that can be taken from each stock for a given period, usually a year. Since there are no established TACs for any fish species in Bangladesh, establishing TACs for both target and non-target species can be a tool for safeguarding the fisheries.

I strongly believe that sustainable fisheries management is not just about saving one species; it’s about preserving the entire marine ecosystem, our economy and our communities. To achieve that, we must address the often-overlooked issue of bycatch and by recognizing the ecological and economic importance of bycatch species, we have to take initiatives to build a responsible and resilient fishing industry in Bangladesh so that fish, fishing, and fishing communities can co-exist. Now is the time to take action.