Every day, Palerchar Bazar in Zajira upazila of Shariatpur comes alive with the fresh catch brought in by fishermen from the Padma. Boats begin arriving at the jetty from early morning, carrying hilsa, boal, pangas, catla and a wide variety of other indigenous river fish. The market grows increasingly vibrant as traders and buyers gather around the day’s catch. Long renowned for its fresh Padma fish, Palerchar Bazar now attracts not only local shoppers but also wholesalers and fish enthusiasts from different parts of the country. With the river, fishermen and fish trade at its heart, Palerchar has emerged as a bustling economic hub along the banks of the Padma. Sazid Hossain takes the photos.

Fresh Padma hilsa and other varieties of fish go under the hammer at auction
A fish trader purchases hilsa at auction
A vendor holds up hilsa to attract customers for retail sales
Rows of hilsa are laid out for auction
A vendor shows a hilsa to a customer during retail sales
Fish purchased at auction are immediately resold to people
Hilsa of various sizes are arranged for retail sale
A selection of fresh fish from the Padma is displayed at the retail market
Alongside hilsa, locally caught bailla fish are also on sale
River prawns of various sizes and species, along with other fish, are lined up for auction
A fisherman carries a catch of small indigenous river fish to the market
A selection of mixed Padma fish is arranged for sale
Small river prawns are being cleaned of snails
River prawns, tengra, baim, bata and meni fish are arranged for sale
Fresh air fish from the river arrives at the market
A fish trader buys a large pangas at auction
Buyers pose for photographs after purchasing large river pangas