| Ilish | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Clupeiformes |
| Family: | Dorosomatidae |
| Genus: | Tenualosa |
| Species: | T. ilisha |
| Binomial name | |
| Tenualosa ilisha F. Hamilton, 1822 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Theilish (Tenualosa ilisha) (Bengali:ইলিশ,romanized: iliś), also known as theilishi,hilsa,hilsa herring orhilsa shad, is a species of fish related to theherring, in the familyClupeidae. It is a very popular and sought-after food in theBengal region, and is thenational fish of Bangladesh[3] and state fish of the Indian state ofWest Bengal.[4]
As of 2023, 97% of the world's total ilish supply originates inBangladesh.[5] The fish contributes about 12% of the total fish production and about 1.15% of GDP in Bangladesh. On 6 August 2017,Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under theMinistry of Industries declared ilish as aGeographical Indication of Bangladesh.[6] About 450,000 people are directly involved in the catching of the fish as a large part of their livelihood; around four to five million people are indirectly involved with the trade.[7]
Other names include jatka, illi, ilish, ellis, palla fish, hilsha, ilih etc. (Assamese:ইলীহ/ইলীহি: ilih/ilihi,Bengali:ইলিশ,romanized: iliś,Gujarati:મોદાર/પાલ્વા: Modar or Palva,Odia:ଇଲିଶି,romanized: iliśi,Sindhī: پلو مڇي pallo machhi,Tamil:உள்ள மீன்/Ulla Meen,Telugu: పులస pulasa). The name ilish is also used in India'sAssamese,Bengali, andOdia communities. InIraq it is called sboor (صبور). InMalaysia andIndonesia, it is commonly known as terubok. Due to its distinguished features as being oily and tender, some Malays, especially in northern Johore, call it 'terubok umno' (to distinguish it from the toli - which species is rich in tiny bones and not so oily).[citation needed] InMyanmar, it is called (ငါးသလောက်) inBurmese which derives from theMon language word ကသလံက် with က in Mon andငါး in Burmese meaning fish.[8]
Females of the species grow larger than males, with males individuals not reaching over 46 cm. Females can reach lengths of up to 55 cm. Maturity is generally attained by the end of the first year or the start of the second, with males maturing at sizes of 26–29 cm and females at 31–33 cm.[9]
It has no dorsal spines but 18 – 21 dorsal soft rays and anal soft rays. The belly has 30 to 33scutes. There is a distinct median notch in the upper jaw. Gill rakers fine and numerous, about 100 to 250 on the lower part of the arch and the fins arehyaline. The fish shows a dark blotch behind gill opening, followed by a series of small spots along the flank in juveniles. While alive, the fish is silver shot with gold and purple.
The fish is marine; freshwater; brackish;pelagic-neritic;anadromous; depth range of about 200 m. Within a tropical range; 34°N - 5°N, 42°E - 97°E in marine and freshwater. It is found in rivers and estuaries inBangladesh,India,Pakistan,Myanmar (also known as Burma) and thePersian Gulf area where it can be found in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in and aroundIran and southernIraq.[10] The fish schools in coastal waters and ascends up the rivers (anadromous) for around 50 – 100 km to spawn during thesouthwest monsoons (June to September and January to April). Actual peak breeding season of the fish is a topic of debate amongst the researchers.[11]
After spawning, they return to the sea which are known asJatka in Bangladesh (fish size up to 9 cm), although some stocks remain resident in rivers.[9]
Since the 1900s, numerous efforts have been made to breed and cultivate hilsa across South Asia, especially in India and Bangladesh. However, no significant success has been achieved in completing the fish's life cycle in captivity.[12]
The species filter feeds onplankton and forages in muddy bottoms.[13] Its diet primarily consists ofBacillariophyceae (diatoms),Chlorophyceae (green algae), andcrustaceans (Copepoda and Cladocera). While adults generally feed on Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae, juveniles primarily depend on crustaceans.[14]
The fish is found in 11 countries:Bangladesh,India,Myanmar,Pakistan,Iran,Iraq,Kuwait,Bahrain,Indonesia,Malaysia andThailand. Bangladesh is the top hilsa-producing country in the world, followed by Myanmar and then India.[5]
_fishes_for_sale_at_fish_market_in_Domjur%2c_Howrah%2c_West_Bengal%2c_India%2c_photographed_by_Yogabrata_Chakraborty%2c_on_June_22%2c_2022.jpg)
An estimated 97% of the total hilsa catch comes from Bangladesh. Ilish production in the country increased by 92% from 2008 to 2023.[15]
The fish is popular food amongst the people of South Asia and in the Middle East, but especially withBengalis,Odias andTelugus ofCoastal Andhra.[citation needed] Bengali fish curry is a popular dish made with mustard oil or seed. TheBengalis popularly call this dishShorshe Ilish.[citation needed] It is very popular inBengal (Bangladesh and India'sWest Bengal), as well as inOdisha,Tripura,Assam,Gujarat andAndhra Pradesh.[citation needed] It is also exported globally.[citation needed]
Ilish collected from Bangladesh is regarded the finest of all, celebrated for its size and subtle taste.[16]
In North America (where ilish is not always readily available) othershad fish are sometimes used as an ilish substitute, especially inBengali cuisine. This typically occurs near the East coast of North America, where fresh shad fish, which tastes similar to ilish, can be found.[citation needed]
In Bangladesh, fish are caught in theMeghna-Jamuna delta,[17] which flows into theBay of Bengal and Meghna (lowerBrahmaputra), andJamuna rivers.
In India,Rupnarayan (which has theKolaghater hilsa),Hooghly,Mahanadi,[18]Narmada andGodavari rivers and theChilika Lake are famous for their fish yields.
In the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, hilsa takes on a special significance. Here, the term "pulasa" refers specifically to the larger, mature hilsa that migrate upstream along the Godavari River. This migratory journey is crucial, as it's believed that the Godavari's unique muddy waters contribute to the development of a richer flavour and firmer texture in the fish, compared to hilsa caught elsewhere. Due to this perceived superior quality and its limited seasonal availability (typically monsoon season), pulasa commands a significantly higher price and cultural importance in Andhra Pradesh. It is considered a rich delicacy, often referred to as the "king of fish" in Godavari Areas and features in celebratory meals and as a prized gift. The upstream migration itself is seen as a vital natural process, and the pulasa a reward for the patient fishermen who wait for its arrival.
In Pakistan, most hilsa fish are caught in theIndus River Delta inSindh. They are also caught in the sea, but some consider the marine stage of the fish as not so tasty. The fish has very sharp and tough bones, making it problematic to eat for some.[citation needed]
Ilish is anoily fish rich inomega 3 fatty acids.[19] Recent experiments have shown its beneficial effects in decreasing cholesterol level in rats[20] and insulin level.[21]
InBengal andOdisha, ilish can be smoked, fried, steamed or baked in youngplantain leaves, prepared withmustard seed paste, curd,aubergine, different condiments likejira (cumin) and so on. It is said that people can cook ilish in more than 50 ways.[22] Ilishroe is also popular as a side dish. Ilish can be cooked in very little oil since the fish itself is very oily.[23]
Due to the demand and popularity of this species,overfishing is rampant. Fishes weighing around 2 to 3 kilograms have become rare in India, as even the smaller fish are caught using finer fishing nets as production in Bangladesh have increased.[31][32] As a consequence of this, prices of the fish have risen. In the past ilish were not harvested betweenVijaya Dashami andSaraswati Puja due to some informal customs ofOdia andBengali Hindus as it is the breeding period of the fish. But as disposable incomes grew, wealthier consumers abandoned the old traditions.[33]
The advent of finerfishing nets and advancedtrawling techniques, andenvironmental degradation of the rivers, has worsened the situation. Fishermen have been ignoring calls to at least leave the juvenile "jatka" alone to repopulate the species. The fishing of the young jatka is now illegal inBangladesh. This ban however has resulted in a rise in unemployment, as around 83,000 fishermen are unable to pursue their former livelihood for eight months every year. It has also led to the creation of a black market where jatka are sold for exorbitant prices.[34] Furthermore, the changes brought about byglobal warming have led to a gradual depletion of the ilish's breeding grounds, reducing populations of the fish even further.[35] Pollution in rivers have worsened the situation, but due to slightly better waters the fishes are found more near Bangladesh delta.[32] Owing to this situation ilish is used as a diplomatic trade item, most recently in the distribution ofCOVID-19 vaccines.[36]
Bangladesh has regularly imposed restrictions on the export of ilish abroad, citing its scarcity. Despite this, former Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina periodically lifted the ban to allow the annual export and gifted of 3,000-5,000 tonnes of fish to India during theDurga Puja, popularly known as "Hilsa Diplomacy". Since the fall of the Hasina government, theinterim government of Bangladesh has imposed a ban on ilish exports,[37] which was partially lifted on 21 September 2024 to allow for the export of 3,000 tonnes of fish for Durga Puja.[38]
Principal commercialfishery species groups | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild |
|  .png)  | ||||||||||||||||||
| Farmed | ||||||||||||||||||||
