Kolkata, Aug 11 (IANS): With the marine delicacy Hilsa, without which the Bengali platter is incomplete, being sold at Rs.1,000-Rs.1,500 per kg due to short supply, the West Bengal government Saturday decided to check catching of small fish during the breeding season.

West Bengal Fisheries Minister Abu Hena said the government was planning to beef up vigilance in the coastal areas to stop catching of baby Hilsa.

In city markets, the prices of the Hilsa have been ranging between Rs.1,000-Rs.1,500 a kg depending upon the size and quality of the fish. The prices of the fish which is normally exported by Bangladesh at $8-$12 per kg also have gone up sharply.

"The state government does have a law to stop catching of small Hilsa fish, especially during the breeding season. But this law is not properly followed and implemented at the grassroots level. So the fishermen are openly violating this law and are catching baby Hilsa," Hena told IANS.

"We are planning to increase the vigilance in the coastal areas. So that the law can be implemented properly and catching of small Hilsa can be prohibited," he said.

While the scanty rainfall has resulted in decline in spawning of the fish within the country, a temporary ban on the export of the Hilsa by Bangladesh has compounded the supply shortage.