Fishermen in Cox’s Bazar resumed fishing in the Bay of Bengal at midnight after a 22-day ban ended. As soon as the restriction was lifted, fishing trawlers anchored at the mouth of the Bakkhali River, near the Cox’s Bazar Fish Landing Centre, began heading to sea one after another. Fishermen appeared enthusiastic about returning to work after the long break.
The ban on catching all types of fish, including hilsa, in the sea and rivers was in force from midnight on October 7 to October 29. Catching, transporting, storing and selling hilsa were also prohibited during the period. The government enforced the restriction to protect hilsa breeding and increase production.
With their earnings suspended during the ban, many fishermen struggled to support their families. However, the lifting of the restriction has sparked optimism for improved circumstances. They expect to catch enough hilsa and other fish to ease their prolonged financial difficulties.
Fisherman Abdur Rahim said, “We could not go to sea for 22 days, and it was very difficult to run our families during this period. Now that the ban has ended, we are heading back to sea after borrowing money. We hope to get a good catch this time. If we catch enough fish, we will be able to meet our family expenses and repay some of our previous debts.”
Another fisherman, Nurul Islam, said they had been unable to use their trawlers and nets for a long time because of the ban.
“Now we have the opportunity to return to sea. A successful catch would bring smiles to all our faces. We want the sea to have plenty of fish and hope to return home safely after fishing,” he said.
Cox’s Bazar District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Nazmul Huda said the government provided 25 kilograms of rice to each of 27,146 registered hilsa fishermen in the district. The assistance was intended to prevent food shortages among fishermen during the fishing ban.
Hasibul Islam, manager of the Cox’s Bazar Fish Landing Centre, said the fishing ban had ended smoothly through joint efforts by the ministry, fisheries department and law enforcement agencies.
He expressed hope that fishermen would return to the landing centre with tonnes of hilsa and other fish, boosting its operations and generating revenue for the government.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
