The sea is a major source of livelihood for coastal communities in Cox’s Bazar. As the 22-day fishing ban during the peak hilsa breeding season ends at midnight on Thursday, fishermen prepare to return to the Bay of Bengal. However, rough weather and a local warning signal No. 3 have cast uncertainty over whether they can venture into the deep sea on the first day after the ban.
The prolonged suspension of fishing has left many fishermen and trawler owners without income for 22 days. Many fishermen, already burdened with previous debts, have had to borrow more to prepare their trawlers for the next fishing trip. During the ban, owners repaired nets, trawlers, and engines, preparing them for fishing. Fishermen are now waiting for the weather to improve.
At Cox’s Bazar Fishery Ghat, fishermen and trawler owners were preparing nets, boats and other equipment for their return to sea. Although many had planned to set out as soon as the ban ended, adverse weather has made their plans uncertain.
Fisherman Abdul Karim said they were waiting for the ban to end so they could resume fishing. They wanted to go to sea as soon as weather conditions improved, but safety remained a concern amid rough seas.
Another fisherman said their debts had increased after weeks without fishing, making it difficult to support their families. They hoped to catch a good haul of hilsa this season and repay at least part of their outstanding loans with the proceeds.
Mohammad Delwar Hossain, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Fishing Boat Owners’ Association, said more than 5,000 registered fishing trawlers operated under the association, directly involving around 120,000 fishermen and workers.
He said rough weather over nearly three consecutive months had financially affected fishermen and trawler owners by preventing them from catching fish in expected quantities. They had used the fishing ban to repair trawlers and nets and complete other preparations. They hoped for a good hilsa catch once weather conditions returned to normal.
Cox’s Bazar District Fisheries Officer Nazmul Huda said cooperation from fishermen and other stakeholders had been important in enforcing the 22-day ban during the hilsa breeding season.
Fishermen could resume fishing after the ban, but they must follow the Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s instructions and take safety precautions because of adverse weather and warning signals at maritime ports, he said. He expressed hope that the ban would help increase hilsa production this season.
Assistant Meteorologist Mohammad Abdul Hannan of the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office said maritime ports in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra had been advised to maintain local warning signal No. 3.
Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay of Bengal have been advised to remain close to the coast and navigate cautiously until further notice, he said.
Despite the end of the fishing ban, adverse weather remains a major obstacle to fishermen returning to sea. Thousands of fishermen in Cox’s Bazar hope conditions will improve soon, allowing them to resume fishing safely and secure a good hilsa catch to ease financial pressure on coastal communities.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
