Gujarat has emerged as a significant, unexpected source of hilsa fish for West Bengal, fulfilling a demand previously met by Bangladesh and local rivers. Fishermen in Gujarat, particularly in Bharuch along the Narmada, have experienced a substantial boom in hilsa catches over the past two years, with estimates reaching thousands of tonnes. This white hilsa, known as Chaksi and highly prized by Bengalis, is now predominantly shipped from Gujarat to Kolkata markets, reshaping traditional trade routes and providing economic fortune for Gujarat's fishermen.