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Scarcity of fish in the Padma threatens livelihoods of fishermen
Published : Monday, 27 July, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Observer Correspondent
The mighty Padma was once abundant with fish. Different variety of fish was found, especially Hilsa from Goalanda in Rajbari used to be exported in Kolkata.
Water remained in Padma for eight months a year. Due to it, one-third of the people living along the riverbanks earned their living by fishing in the Padma.
However, due to dried up season and massive shoals, fishermen who depend on fishing in the Padma for their livelihood are no longer doing well. Fishermen along the riverbanks are living a miserable life. As a result, fishermen who rely on nets and boats are winding up their gear and heading home.
Families who still depend on fishing in Padma are barely managing to survive.
During a spot visit to the village of Siddique Member along the Padma in Daulatdia, the Padma River was seen dried up and turned into a narrow canal. A huge sandbar has emerged in the middle of the river.
Fishermen were seen spending idle time on the riverbank. Some were repairing torn nets with family members. Others were rolling up nets and keeping them stacked in heaps. Some were also repairing their boats.
Fisherman Arman Khan said, "After the Hilsa conservation drive ended, good amounts of fish were caught for a few days. Many people got more or less fish during that time. For the past few days, not much fish is being caught. Big fish are caught in our Suti nets. We are forced to lift the nets and repair the torn parts before storing them."
Fisherman Abu Bakkar Sardar said that although the month of Ashar has arrived, there is no fish in the river. Occasionally one or two big fish are caught, but a shortage of all fish, including Hilsa, has appeared in the river.
He added, "For my single boat, 5 people incur an average daily expense of Tk 1,000. Yet on Thursday, I sold fish worth only Tk 700. This money does not even cover the boat's expenses. How can I run my household with this?"
Anwarul Islam Pilot, Senior Fisheries Officer of Goalanda Upazila, said there are many reasons for the decrease of native fish in the river. These include the use of China nets and China traps in the river. Besides, sea water cannot enter the river.
In addition, there is no current in the river. Shoals have emerged and silted it up. Fish are decreasing due to the loss of navigability. If shoals continue to form in the river like this, Hilsa will not be seen in the future.
-SI/SA
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
