Hilsa Fish

Hilsa Fish Latest News

Bangladesh recently announced it has decided to export hilsa fish to India ahead of the Durga Puja festive season as a mark of “enduring Bangladesh-India friendship”.

About Hilsa Fish

• It is a species of fish belonging to the Clupeidae family, which includes herring fish.
• It is also called Ilish and holds an exceptional position in the culinary customs and social practices of Bengal. 
• It is a fish that is highly prized because of its delicate flavour, distinct taste, and silky texture.
• Scientific Name: Tenualosa ilisha

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Hilsa Fish Habitat and Distribution 

• It is found in rivers and estuaries in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and the Persian Gulf area.
• Hilsa fish live in both saltwater and freshwater. 
• They spend most of their lives in the ocean. 
• However, when it’s time to lay their eggs, they swim up into rivers. This journey is called a migration. 
• They travel to rivers like the Padma River and Meghna River in Bangladesh. 
• They also go to rivers in India, such as the Ganges River and Godavari River.
• Bangladesh produces around 70% of the world’s ilish, making it a subject of public pride. Ilish is also the national fish of Bangladesh.
• The Hilsa fish helps Bangladesh’s economy a lot. It makes up about 12% of all the fish caught in the country. It also adds about 1% to the country’s total GDP.

Hilsa Fish Appearance

• Hilsa fish have a silvery body. 
• They are quite flat and have a pointed head. 
• Hilsa can grow up to about 50 cm, weighing more than 3 kg.
• They are known for their many small bones.

Hilsa Fish Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List.

Source: PRINT