Native fish shortage hits Sirajganj dry fist industry

The traditional shutki industry in Sirajganj's Salanga and Ullapara is facing a downturn as the supply of native fish has declined this year, leaving traders worried and workers with fewer opportunities.

The areas, known for their proximity to the Chalan Beel region, usually see busy activity at dry fist (shutki) drying yards during this season. But this year, many yards are operating well below capacity, with only limited quantities of fish being dried and several sections left unused.

Traders said the industry relies on a wide range of native species collected from local beels, rivers, canals and other water bodies. These include shol, boal, taki, shing, magur, koi, pabda, tengra, bele, shrimp, punti, mola, dhela, chanda, kachki, baim, batashi, foli and aor.

The fish are cleaned and processed, often with salt, before being dried in the sun on bamboo platforms. The finished shutki is then supplied to different parts of Bangladesh and, depending on demand, exported abroad.

Shutki trader Alim said fish supplies are normally plentiful at this time of year, but availability has fallen sharply this season while prices have increased.

“As fish have become more expensive and harder to obtain, we cannot produce dry fish on the same scale as before,” he added.

He said restoring a steady supply of native fish would help revive the traditional shutki trade in Salanga and Ullapara.

The shortage is also affecting workers. Bilquis, a worker at a shutki drying yard, said they previously remained busy throughout the day cleaning, cutting and drying fish.

“Now there are times when we have no work because so little fish is coming in.''

Traders said the decline in fish supplies is affecting the entire local industry, from production to employment. They called for stronger protection of beels, canals and other natural water bodies, along with effective action against illegal fishing nets and the catching of juvenile fish.

Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Md Ataur Rahman said the Department of Fisheries is already implementing various programmes to conserve native fish species and increase production.

“Measures are being taken to prevent illegal fishing, protect fish fry and conserve breeding grounds,” he said.