Bustling activity begins at dawn every day at the Cox’s Bazar Fishery Ghat, one of the country’s largest fish landing centres, as trawlers return from the sea dock at the jetty carrying baskets filled with freshly caught marine fish.
As the vessels arrive one after another, workers unload the catch in large baskets before the fish are sold directly to wholesale traders at the ghat.
Scenes at the landing centre show workers arranging freshly caught fish in large baskets after unloading them from the trawlers. A wide variety of marine species—including loitta, shrimp, pomfret, coral grouper, and hilsa—are traded in bulk.
In many cases, the fish are also sold through open bidding. This auction process allows traders to purchase the catch quickly while often securing comparatively better prices.
From early morning until mid-morning, the entire ghat area comes alive with fishermen, labourers, and traders unloading, sorting, weighing, and auctioning the fish brought in from the sea.
Zainal, a fish trader at the ghat, said that wholesalers purchase fish there before distributing them to markets in different regions.
“We buy fish here in bulk and then sell them in different markets. It is profitable for us, and customers also get fresh fish,” he said.
Traders said that when sea conditions remain favourable, trawlers usually return with larger catches, making trading at the ghat more vibrant.
However, when the catch is smaller, it also affects the market supply, leading to higher prices and reduced availability of fish for consumers.
According to local residents, the Cox’s Bazar Fishery Ghat is a vital source of livelihood for fishermen and traders, along with an important component of the country’s marine fisheries economy.
Every day, a significant volume of fish landed here is transported to markets across Bangladesh.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
