Thousands of fishers along the Cox’s Bazar coast are preparing to return to the Bay of Bengal as the government-imposed 58-day fishing ban is set to end on June 11.
With the restriction nearing its conclusion, fishing activity has begun to resume at Cox’s Bazar Fishery Ghat and surrounding areas, where fishers, boat owners, and workers are busy making final preparations for the new fishing season.
A visit to the fish landing centre (Fishery Ghat) showed rows of trawlers undergoing maintenance and repairs. Workers were seen checking engines, repainting vessels, repairing hulls, and preparing fishing nets ahead of their return to sea.
Fisher Abdul Karim said the ban period had been financially challenging for many fishing families.
“We could not go to sea during the restriction period, and supporting our families was difficult. Now we are preparing our trawlers and nets and hoping for a good catch once fishing resumes,” he said.
Another fisher, Mohammad Ismail, said his trawler had remained anchored at the ghat for nearly two months.
“We are making sure everything is ready before heading back to sea. We are also stocking diesel, ice, and food supplies. If the weather remains favourable, we will leave as soon as the ban is lifted,” he said.
Trawler owner Nurul Alam said the annual restriction was important for the breeding and conservation of marine fish stocks, although it created financial pressure for both fishers and vessel owners.
“Now everyone is preparing with renewed enthusiasm to return to fishing,” he added.
People involved in the fishing industry said hundreds of trawlers from Cox’s Bazar are expected to head into deep waters within the first few days after the ban ends.
Fishers hope that the breeding season closure will result in increased fish stocks and improved catches in the coming months.
The government imposes an annual 58-day ban in Bangladesh’s maritime waters to protect marine fisheries resources and ensure the safe breeding and growth of fish populations. This year’s restriction is scheduled to expire at midnight on June 11.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
