At dawn, life at the Nazirartek fishing community in Cox’s Bazar comes alive with intense activity as fishermen begin their daily struggle for livelihood.
After returning from the deep sea, one fishing trawler after another docks at the jetty, sparking a flurry of activity as they unload fresh fish.
As the trawlers berth, fishermen and labourers hurriedly transfer the catch into large baskets, load them onto handcarts and transport them to the temporary markets set up along the seashore.
A visit to the spot showed a wide variety of fish being unloaded, including hilsa, loitta, coral, rupchanda, popa and several other marine species.
While some workers focus on unloading, others sort the fish or preserve them with ice.
The area echoes with the shouts of labourers pushing handcarts and the lively bargaining between buyers and sellers.
Wholesale traders and local businessmen actively take part in fish trading along the shoreline.
From here, large quantities of fish are sent to markets in Cox’s Bazar town and different parts of the country, turning Nazirartek into a key hub for marine fish trade.
Local fisherman Halim Ullah said favourable weather conditions over the past few days have helped boost catches at sea.
“We are returning with trawlers full of fish, which is making it a little easier for us to support our families,” he said.
The bustling scene at Nazirartek reflects the daily livelihoods of fishermen and highlights the vibrancy of the coastal economy.
Through relentless labour and ceaseless activity, the lives of thousands of fishing families continue to move forward each day.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
