With dreams in their eyes and courage in their hearts, thousands of fishermen from the coastal areas of Cox’s Bazar ventured into the sea. However, the ocean revealed a different story—rough winds, high waves, and a disappointing lack of fish.
Despite the official fishing ban having been lifted, the usual festive buzz in the fishing villages of Cox’s Bazar is noticeably missing. Instead, there is a growing sense of anxiety—how will these communities survive without their primary source of livelihood?
Several fishermen at the Cox’s Bazar fish landing station shared that after a week of hostile weather, many have once again set sail into the Bay of Bengal. There was a brief pause in the rain, but the downpour has resumed, and rain usually means poor fishing conditions. As a result, no trawlers have yet returned with a catch.
The Cox’s Bazar landing station is eerily quiet as no fish arrive. The fishermen remain hopeful, though. If the weather calms down, they expect the trawlers to return soon with fish. When that happens, the landing station will once again come alive with the buzz of buyers, sellers, and the joyful noise of a thriving fishing community.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
