Global Research Effort on Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha)-Insights from Scientometrics

Abstract

Tenualosa ilisha also known as Hilsa shad is one of the important anadromous fish species in South Asia and some of the middle eastern countries because of its economic, cultural and ecological significance. The importance of hilsa shad in this region has driven a large number of scientific studies and quantification of these studies is important to identify the knowledge gaps and future research directions. For this purpose, we conducted a scientometric analysis on hilsa shad research published in Web of Science database between 2000 and 2022. Our results indicated that the number of articles on hilsa shad has increased from 2000 to 2019 and the number of articles published between 2000 and 2020 was correlated with global annual hilsa production during the same period. Keyword analysis of articles identified 10 thematic areas in hilsa shad research. The evolution of these thematic areas indicated that studies on ‘the management of hilsa shad fisheries in the Bay of Bengal and surrounding countries’ had more recent interest among the scientific community. On the other hand, studies on ‘post-harvesting of hilsa shad products’ have been more conventional and had fewer publications. Thematic areas related to hilsa shad stock assessment and genetics indicated that more state-of-art techniques are needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the hilsa shad population structure. Studies on trophic ecology and hilsa shad aquaculture are key topics that need and novel technology-based research. More socio-economic studies are encouraged to understand the sustainability of hilsa fisheries management. Overall, our results highlight the necessity for improvements in local and international collaborations towards the sustainable management of trans-boundary hilsa shad fishery in the region.

Confirmation of hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) in Vietnamese waters: a morphological and genetic analysis

“…The aquatic ecosystems of Southeast Asia harbour a rich biodiversity (Koh and Sodhi, 2010; Liu, 2013; Hughes, 2017), with various fish species contributing significantly to the region's ecological and economic dynamics (Todd et al ., 2010; Pomeroy et al ., 2019). Tenualosa ilisha is a highly valued fish species in South Asia and some Middle Eastern countries (Hossain et al ., 2019a; Hossain et al ., 2019b), where it has economic, cultural and ecological significance (Khan et al ., 2020; Bandara and Wijewardene, 2023). They are anadromous fish and migrate from marine to freshwater environments for spawning (Bhaumik, 2015a; Hossain et al ., 2016; Asaduzzaman et al ., 2019b; Asaduzzaman et al ., 2020).…”

Hilsa fisheries in India: a socio-economic analysis of fishers in deltaic Ganga region of river Hooghly

“…Hilsa fisheries of West Bengal in India are under the jurisdiction of the State Government of West Bengal (Bandara and Wijewardene, 2023). The management measures that have been followed by the State Government are mesh size regulation in the use of gill nets in the way that only 90-110 mm gill net should be used and that monofilament gill nets below 90 mm mesh size and other nets with mesh size below 40 mm are banned; Hilsa fishing ban period for 10 days in the month of September or October (revolves around 14 September and 24 October depending on lunar cycles) and a general fishing ban on all kinds of fishes in the state from 15 April to 15 June; and mass awareness creation for Hilsa conservation from 2010 onwards.…”