PATHARGHATA, BARGUNA, Mar 12: Fishing activities at the BFDC harbour in Patharghata of Barguna, the country's second-largest fish landing centre, have come to a near standstill as hundreds of trawlers have been unable to sail due to a severe diesel shortage.
For the past three days, fishermen have been struggling to secure fuel needed for deep-sea fishing, raising concerns that thousands of fishing families may face financial hardship ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Local fishermen and trawler owners alleged that a section of dishonest traders is creating an artificial crisis by hoarding fuel and using international tensions as an excuse to destabilise the market.
A visit to the area showed hundreds of trawlers lying idle in canals and at jetties in Patharghata. Usually, fishermen sell their catch, purchase supplies and fuel, and quickly return to sea. However, despite visiting fuel depots and shops repeatedly over the last three days, many have failed to obtain diesel.
As a result, thousands of workers have been forced to keep their trawlers docked despite being prepared for fishing expeditions.
Trawler owners and fishermen claimed that reports of tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States and speculation over possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have fuelled uncertainty in the local market.
Masum Company, a local trawler operator, said some traders were taking advantage of the situation by hoarding fuel with the intention of selling it at higher prices.
Fisherman Zakir Biswas alleged that although some shops have fuel in stock, they are refusing to sell it unless buyers agree to pay an additional Tk20 per litre.
Local fuel traders, however, denied allegations of hoarding while acknowledging the supply shortage.
Faruk Hawlader, proprietor of Faruk Brothers, said Patharghata typically requires between 200,000 and 250,000 litres of diesel per week, but currently only about 5,000 litres are being supplied to the area's five filling stations.
He claimed the limited supply is due to government quota-based allocations, though he admitted that some unlicensed retailers might be hoarding fuel.
Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of the Barguna District Trawler Owners' Association, urged the administration to intervene immediately.
"Due to the greed of dishonest traders, sea-bound trawlers have effectively become paralysed," he said.
Barguna Deputy Commissioner Taslima Akter said the administration is monitoring the situation and warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found responsible for creating an artificial fuel crisis.
