Before dawn breaks, a flurry of activity awakens the fishing villages along Cox’s Bazar’s coast.
As the fishermen cast their nets into the salty waters, smiles begin to appear on their faces—their nets are heavy with a rich catch of fish and crabs.
At daybreak, local fisherman Nabi Ullah and his team pull in their nets to find them brimming with large and medium-sized marine pangas, colorful coral fish, hard-shelled crabs, and various smaller species.
The sight of such a diverse and plentiful haul brings waves of excitement across the shore.
“The day has started wonderfully,” says a cheerful Nabi Ullah. “With this much fish, we’re expecting a favorable price at the market. You don’t get catches like this every day in this season.”
Once the fish are sorted and cleaned, they are neatly packed into baskets. Soon after, Nabi Ullah heads off toward the local market, while the beach comes alive with the rhythm of footsteps and the rustle of nets being drawn ashore.
Locals say that such abundant catches are common during the early winter, but this year’s yield seems especially promising.
As more fish arrive daily, the local markets anticipate a surge in fresh seafood supply, which bodes well for consumers.
That morning scene—nets heavy with fish glistening in the first light—feels like more than just a livelihood.
For the people of the coast, it is a symbol of hope, as if the sea itself has once again opened its generous heart to them.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Hussain Shetu
