The annual global average catch shares of the anadromous Hilsa Tenualosa ilisha of Bangladesh increased rapidly from 74.5% all through 1984–2013 to 86.7% during the 2010–2015 periods. With a few exceptions, an increasing trend of Hilsa production over the last three decades was found in Bangladesh. Initially three options incorporating digital image measurements were compared to determine the best method for obtaining accurate length data. The length‐frequency data measured from digital images showed that Hilsa have a moderate growth rate (K = 0.90 year⁻¹) of up to 58.70 cm (L) TL. High fishing mortality (F = 2.83 year⁻¹) and exploitation level (E = 0.67) suggest a slight overexploitation of the Hilsa fishery; the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) was estimated at 526,000 metric tons/year if the recommended TL at first capture (L_c) of 27 cm is adhered to. The present annual Hilsa catch is about 496,417 metric tons, which indicates the potential benefit of achieving MSY through sustainable fisheries management by regulating mesh size of nets and protecting brood fish. Size distribution of Hilsa within sanctuaries revealed a remarkable presence of juvenile fish during February–March in some areas, which suggests a need to readjust the fishing ban period from March–April to February–March. More fisheries management is necessary to reduce the exploitation level of Hilsa by 17% and at the same time increase the allowable L_c to potentially increase the MSY and CPUE.

Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha), is a biologically, nutritionally, economically, socially and culturally important species in the Bay of Bengal and Persian Gulf regions, but Bangladesh enjoys the major share wherein it contributes about 517,000 tons/year. However, this important fishery declined in the late 1990’s that led the Government to formulate the Hilsa Fishery Management Action Plan (HFMAP) and started its implementation from 2005. Since then, hilsa production increased @5%/year till 2015. To improve the annual incremental production further, Department of Fisheries (DoF) and WorldFish have jointly been implementing “Enhanced Coastal Fisheries in Bangladesh (ECOFISH-Bangladesh)”, a USAID supported project (2014-2019). The project supports the DoF and local communities to establish a science-based “adaptive co-management” that focuses on the brood hilsa protection, juvenile conservation, illegal gears control, and overall ecosystem resilience involving all stakeholders. As a synergistic impact of all the initiatives taken and the proactive supports of the law enforcing agencies, the declined hilsa fishery from both inland and marine habitats revived @ 11% annual incremental total hilsa catch. The increased hilsa production and average size (from 510 g to 915 g) resulted in increased household income of fishers by 52%. The interventions additionally improved catfish abundance and other fish biodiversity.