Along the Sonar Para sea beach in Cox’s Bazar, rows of small and large fishing nets stand as the primary tools through which thousands of fishermen weave their dreams.
These specialised nets are essential for deep-sea fishing, and every day, fishermen head into the Bay of Bengal in search of a livelihood.
Local fisherman Aman Ullah said that making a single fishing net costs more than Tk 200,000. ‘For some of the larger nets, the cost can go up to Tk 400,000 to Tk 500,000,’ he said. To fish in deep waters, each boat usually carries five to six nets, requiring a total investment of around Tk 1 million to Tk 1.2 million.
He added that each net is typically usable for only one fishing season. ‘The monsoon is our main fishing season,’ Aman Ullah said, adding that if the nets are used very cautiously, sometimes they can last for two seasons.
Fishermen said that such heavy investment makes every trip to sea a risky venture. Natural disasters, damage to nets and poor catches all add to the uncertainty, leaving their lives and livelihoods constantly exposed to risk.
Despite the challenges, the fishermen continue to venture into the sea, carrying not only their nets but also their hopes for survival, income and a better future.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Hussain Shetu
