The estuary of the Bakkhali River in Cox’s Bazar comes alive with activity every dawn as fishermen set out in small and large trawlers in search of fish in the Bay of Bengal.
Crossing the river mouth and venturing into the rough sea is a daily struggle driven by the need to earn a living.
Even before first light, the fisheries ghat area becomes busy with preparations. While some fishermen are busy arranging nets, others are loading ice and supplies onto their boats, all in a race against time to reach the sea.
Aman Ullah, a fisherman at the fisheries ghat, said they sail out to sea every day through the Bakkhali estuary in the hope of a profitable catch. “Sometimes we return with plenty of fish, but often we come back empty-handed. Still, the sea remains our only source of livelihood,” he said.
According to the fishermen, favourable weather often requires them to stay at sea for several consecutive days. During such trips, they catch hilsa, loitta, pomfret, poa, and various other marine species. The fish are later sold at the fisheries ghat and supplied to local markets and to different parts of the country.
Despite risks and uncertainty, fishermen continue to cross the Bakkhali estuary daily and head towards the Bay of Bengal, playing a vital role in the coastal economy. Their lives, livelihoods, and dreams remain inseparably tied to the sea—a constant journey shaped by struggle and resilience.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
