Fishing trawlers have resumed heading into the Bay of Bengal from Cox’s Bazar after adverse weather conditions eased and maritime warning signals were withdrawn, bringing activity back to the district’s main fishing harbour.
A visit to the Cox’s Bazar Fish Landing Centre on Saturday found trawlers preparing for deep-sea fishing, with crews loading ice, fuel, food supplies and fish storage equipment before setting sail. Fishermen also arranged nets and other fishing gear before their departure.
Fishermen said they had been unable to venture into the sea for several days due to rough weather and warning signals, leaving them without any income during the period.
With the weather improving, they said they were hopeful of making excellent catches on their return to the sea.
“We had to remain idle at the harbour for several days. Now that the weather has improved, we are heading back to the sea. Hopefully, we will return with a successful catch,” said trawler skipper Abdul Karim.
Fish traders at the harbour said that if trawlers could continue operating normally, supplies of hilsa, Bombay duck, coral fish, tuna and other marine fish would increase over the coming days.
They said an increase in supply was also expected to help stabilise fish prices in local markets.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
