NOAKHALI, May 10: Due to the ongoing 58-day ban in the country's maritime water to protect marine fish breeding, over one lakh fishermen in Hatiya Upazila of Noakhali have become jobless. With fishing stopped, their income has ceased, leaving many families living in misery.
The ban, which began on April 15, will continue until June 11. During this period, the government has prohibited fishing, transport and sale of fish in the deep sea. However, fishermen allege that because no specific boundaries of the restricted area have been set, they often face harassment.
According to the local fisheries office, over one lakh fishermen earn their living by fishing from around 20 ghats in Hatiya.
Among them, only 24,020 are registered. This time, 4,873 families will be given rice assistance of 77 kg each.
Abdur Rob Majhi, a fisherman from Nolchira, said that not being able to fish has made it difficult to run his household. They are having to manage by borrowing money. For most of the year, there is one ban or another. It is not possible to cover expenses by fishing in such a short time. Many are weighed down by debt.
Over 100 trawlers were seen lying idle at New Swij Ghat in Hatiya. Every day, fishermen come to the ghat, spend time, and then return.
Rashed Uddin, President of the Trawler Owners Association, said the amount of government assistance is very low. Out of nearly one lakh fishermen, only 24,020 have come under registration. He demands that measures be taken so that the remaining fishermen also receive assistance.
Md. Fayzur Rahman, Hatiya Upazila Fisheries Officer, said that once the list of genuine fishermen is obtained from the Union Parishad, the rice distribution process will begin. Once the list preparation is completed, government assistance will be delivered to fishermen within the stipulated time. The matter has also been brought to the attention of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer.
