The sea sustains life and livelihoods in this region. Along the shores of Cox’s Bazar, countless fishermen rely on the ocean’s bounty for survival. In the early morning light, the beach comes alive with the echoes of their voices as they haul in their catch.
With the gentle spring breeze, the fishing scene at Cox’s Bazar’s Patuartek Beach becomes mesmerizing. The fishermen’s intricate techniques unfold before dawn as they work harmoniously with the tides.
The process is both skillful and strenuous. Using long bamboo poles tied to thick ropes, the fishermen pull the nets around their waists with synchronized effort. The massive net, stretching across the water, is slowly dragged ashore.
It is learned that these hundreds of meters-long nets are cast into the sea with the help of fishing trawlers. Once submerged, the ropes attached to both ends of the net are drawn from opposite directions, gradually bringing the entire structure back to the shore.
This grand haul usually takes place when the tide is just right. As the rhythm of the ocean dictates their routine, the fishing trawlers venture deep into the sea, ensuring that the cycle of life and labor continues.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Hussain Shetu
