Hilsa imports trigger action against fisheries DG

Amid declining domestic Hilsa production and soaring prices in the local market, the Department of Fisheries granted permission to import Hilsa from Gujarat, India. However, the decision was reportedly taken without informing the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, prompting the ministry to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the department’s Acting Director General (DG), Dr Md Khaled Kanak.

The ministry’s Fisheries-1 Wing issued a show-cause notice to Dr Khaled Kanak on Sunday over the decision to grant permission for the imports. He has been given three days to respond to the notice.

Following intervention by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the import of Hilsa from India has already been halted, according to ministry sources.

According to sources at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, more than 350,000(kg) of Hilsa were imported through Benapole land port over a period of two months. The imports have raised concerns within the ministry, particularly as Bangladesh is one of the world’s leading Hilsa-producing countries.

The ministry has started investigating the circumstances under which permission was granted to import Hilsa from India without prior notification. Questions have also been raised over whether any external pressure, lobbying or vested interests may have influenced the Department of Fisheries’ decision.