Rough weather, ice shortage put hilsa fishers in trouble 

SHARANKHOLA, BAGERHAT, Sept 3: Thousands of coastal fishers and traders are facing a double crisis amid the peak hilsa season, with rough seas forcing fishing trawlers to remain ashore while severe load-shedding has disrupted ice production at landing stations.

After a 58-day government fishing ban ended, fishers ventured into the deep sea with hopes of a good catch. But adverse weather has now halted fishing, while a shortage of ice has raised concerns about preserving whatever fish is caught.

Stakeholders fear losses worth crores of taka if the situation persists.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the sea has become rough due to a low-pressure system formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas. It advised maritime ports in Mongla, Payra, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar to keep local warning signal No 3 hoisted.

Amid strong waves and bad weather, most fishing trawlers have stopped fishing and taken shelter at safer locations.

Hundreds of trawlers from Sharankhola and other coastal areas are currently anchored at Mahipur and Nidraskhina in Patuakhali, as well as at Bhedakhali Canal under the Sharankhola Range of the Eastern Sundarban. Many trawlers have also returned to the coast.

The situation has been further complicated by severe power shortages. Prolonged load-shedding has disrupted operations at most ice factories in coastal areas, reducing supply and pushing up prices.

Babul Das, president of the Sharankhola Upazila Ice Mill Owners’ Association, said an ice consignment normally takes 20-22 hours to produce when power supply is normal.

“But due to severe load shedding, we cannot complete production even in two days. Many trawlers cannot go to sea because they cannot get enough ice,” he said.

He urged the authorities to give priority to ice factories in supplying electricity.
Sharankhola fish landing centre aratdars Delwar Farazi, Kabir Hawladar and Mojibor Talukdar said they had invested Tk 1.5-2 lakh in each trawler, borrowing money to send crews to sea.

“But due to the rough weather, they cannot cast their nets. At the same time, there is no guarantee that the fish can be preserved because of the ice shortage,” they said.

Mohammad Abul Hossain, President of the Sharankhola Seagoing Fishing Trawler Owners’ Association, said fishers were caught between two problems.

“On one hand, the weather at sea is rough, and on the other, there is an ice shortage at the landing stations. Fishers are suffering the most,” he said.

He warned that the sector could face major losses during the current season unless weather conditions improve and the power supply becomes stable.

Shariful Islam, Assistant Conservator of forests of the Sharankhola Range of the Eastern Sundarban, said several fishing trawlers had taken shelter in Bhedakhali Canal due to the bad weather.

The Forest Department is monitoring the area to ensure the safety of the trawlers and fishers and prevent any damage to the forest, he said.

Fishers and traders said the hilsa sector could suffer substantial losses unless the weather improves quickly and uninterrupted power supply is ensured.