Kuakata fishermen frustrated with poor catch of hilsa
Despite a 65-day ban, there is apparently shortage of hilsa in the Bay of Bengal, say fishermen of Kuakata in Patuakhali.
Most of them are frustrated and are returning empty-handed, reports our Patuakhali correspondent.
Fishermen of different areas including Kuakata, Alipur-Mahipur, Rangabali, and Char Montaz have incurred debt due to the fishing ban imposed for hilsa breeding season, which was effective from May 20 to July 23.
They even bought new boats and nets with loans from moneylenders.
Fishermen catch hilsa for four-five months and from the money they earn, they repay their debts in instalments. The rest of the money goes to the family.
Now, they are worried about repaying loans as there is few hilsa in the water.
A fishing trawler named "FB Jihad" returned to the Mahipur wharf in Kalapara upazila near Kuakata yesterday afternoon after 10 days in the sea while Tk 60,000 was spent on fuel alone.
But it brought back only 118 kg of hilsa and a few other species of fish which was sold for Tk 40,000, said Abdul Jalil, a fisherman of the trawler.
"After the ban, I went to the sea to catch hilsa but I came back disappointed. How can we survive like this?" -- he questioned.
Another fishing trawler, "FB Touhid" sold small hilsas for Tk 55,000 only, said Sagir Hossain Gazi, the operator of the trawler.
"I went to the sea with food, fuel and other things worth Tk 1.50 lakh and sold fish for Tk 55,000. How do I manage this loss?" he asked.
When contacted, Patuakhali District Fisheries Officer Mollah Emdadullah said, "The reason for fewer hilsa may be due to changes in the circulation field of hilsa including silt filling".
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