The dip in activity at sea over the past three months due to the Coronavirus-related lockdown has led to expectations of a larger than usual catch. Last year, the season yielded less than 12,000 tonnes, due to factors such as pollution and late arrival of the monsoon.This year, the over 100-day pandemic lockdown in India has proved to be a bonus for millions of seafood consumers, who eagerly wait for this time of the year and the arrival of the prized hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha). Fishermen and fisheries associations areexpecting this year's catch to be anything between 32,000 and 35,000 tonnes - three times the average.Experts point out as pollution in the river Ganga and its tributaries is less this year due to the forced lockdown, it has attracted schools of hilsa to migrate upstream to breed, and a senior official of the state fishery department confirmed that a very good catch is expected this year.
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