Rough seas and inclement weather over the Bay of Bengal have kept thousands of fishing trawlers anchored along the Cox’s Bazar coast, despite the end of the 58-day ban on hilsa fishing.
Since June 17, three low-pressure systems have formed over the Bay, prompting the Bangladesh Meteorological Department to issue cautionary signal number 3 at Cox’s Bazar and three other seaports. As a result, fishermen remain unable to venture into the sea to catch hilsa and other marine fish, leaving over a hundred thousand fishermen in the coastal areas temporarily unemployed.
Most fishing trawlers have taken shelter at the Bakkhali River in Cox’s Bazar and other coastal landing stations, awaiting safer conditions.
Currently, signal number 3 remains in effect, and fishing in the sea is considered unsafe under these conditions. Sujoy Pal, acting District Fisheries Officer and Upazila Fisheries Officer of Sadar, said that fishermen have been instructed not to leave the coast until the cautionary signal is lifted.
According to the District Fisheries Department, Cox’s Bazar recorded a catch of 249,000 metric tonnes of marine fish last year, including 35,800 metric tonnes of hilsa. This year, the target for hilsa catch has been set at 36,000 metric tonnes.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
