The committee, led by Dr. Mohammad Sohrab Ali, Additional Director-General of the Department of Environment, and Alamgir Kabir, Senior Assistant Director of the Fisheries Department, conducted a site visit on January 30. They collected water samples from Shatnol, Babu Bazar, Mohanpur, and Eklashpur for further laboratory analysis in Dhaka.

Declining Water Quality and Industrial Pollution Identified as Key Causes

Preliminary water tests indicate that pollution and deteriorating water quality are the main factors behind the mass fish deaths. The pH level in the river has dropped to 6–6.5 ppm, compared to the normal range of 7.5–9 ppm. Ammonia levels, which should be around 0.1 ppm, have risen to 0.2 ppm or higher. Oxygen levels, essential for aquatic life, have plummeted from the ideal 5–5.5 ppm to a dangerously low 1–1.5 ppm.

Experts suspect that chemical waste from factories in Narayanganj and Munshiganj districts is contaminating the Meghna River, disrupting its delicate ecosystem and severely affecting fish populations. The pollution has also altered the migratory path of the prized hilsa fish, a staple of Bangladesh’s seafood industry.

Fishermen Struggle as Livelihoods Collapse

For nearly a month, fishermen from villages along the Meghna River, including Shatnol, Malopara, Babu Bazar, Dashani, Mohanpur, Hashimpur, and Zahirabad, have been unable to catch fish. Native species such as chewa, puti, shrimp, pangash, kachki, boicha, and belye have been found floating dead, along with other aquatic life like frogs, leeches, and snakes.

Local fishermen report extreme financial hardship due to their inability to work. “We have taken loans from NGOs to buy boats and nets, but now we cannot even afford to pay the installments,” said Pradip Chandra, a struggling fisherman. “Our families are going hungry.”

Urgent Action Needed to Protect Bangladesh’s Fisheries Sector

Senior Fisheries Officer Vijay Kumar emphasized the need for immediate intervention to prevent further damage to fish stocks and the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen. Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment, stressed the importance of addressing industrial pollution to restore the Meghna River’s water quality.

This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter environmental regulations, improved wastewater treatment, and sustainable fisheries management to protect Bangladesh’s aquatic resources. Without swift action, the nation’s seafood sector and coastal communities face devastating long-term consequences.

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There were two known species of this fish in the country for some time now, they are also on the verge of extinction. But the silver lining is, a new Mahashol species has been found in Sangu river near Thanchi Hills in Bandarban. The scientists of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) confirmed the new species of Mahashol through DNA test last Sunday. The scientific name of the species is “Tor barakae”. Now they will work to preserve and spread the species at the field level. With this valuable find, the number of freshwater fish species in the country stands now at 261.

BFRI says that scientists from Rangamati sub-center conducted a survey in collaboration with local fishermen in search of Mahashol a year ago. Scientists found this species in Andharmanik, Boro Madak and Ligri areas of Sangu river in Thanchi, Bandarban, where water depth and rock level are high. After collection, the external structure and other aspects of the fish are examined. DNA barcoding is then done to identify the species. The fish can weigh a maximum of 15 kg. Chief scientific officer. Dr. Azhar Ali was the senior scientific officer in the scientific team. Senior Scientific officer Junaira Rashid and Scientific Officer Imdadul Haque were also in the team while conducting the examination.

Scientists say that one of the two earlier species was the Golden Mahashol (Tor tor), the other was the Red-fin Mahashol (Tor putitora). Their home was in the Kangsa and Someswari rivers of Netrakona. These two species of Mahashol mainly live in mountain springs flowing streams. It survives by feeding on algae that cling to the body of the stone.

Chief scientific officer Dr. Azhar Ali said, research has shown that the color of the fish is similar to existing ones, but the color of the fin is not yellowish like other species of Mahashol in the country and Its face is very narrow. The samples collected for qualitative research showed 100% similarity to the reference genome of Tor barakae.

Director General of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) of Mymensingh Mr. Yahia Mahmud said, “through IUCN statement in 2015, Mahashol is an endangered species of expensive fish. Mahashol was found in the Kangsa and Someswari rivers in Netrakona, but now it is found in the Sangu river. The fish is of great commercial importance as it is expensive and large in size. Research on breeding and cultivation of this new species of Mahashol will be started soon. If the fish is brought under cultivation, the overall production of fish in the country will increase.

The post A new species of Mahashol is found in Bangladesh appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

The minister made the statement at the 41st meeting of the Board of Governors of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) held in the conference room of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock at secretariat on 21st of September.

He said that BFRI has so far developed breeding techniques and farming technology of 37 species of endangered native fish through research and it is largely contributing to expansion of fish production. Out of those 37 species, about 11 of endangered native fish have been brought back in the last one year, he said, adding that a live gene bank has been established to conserve indigenous fish.

Member of the Board of Governors of BFRI and Member of Parliament Muhibur Rahman Manik, Vice Chairman of the Board and Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Dr Muhammad Yamin Chowdhury, Board Member Secretary and Director General of BFRI Yahia Mahmud attended the meeting.

Moreover, Board Member and Director General of the Department of Fisheries Mahbubul Haque and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) Acting Executive Chairman Dr Mian Sayeed Hassan were present, among others, on the occasion.

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