Desk Report,
Seas rough in Cox’s Bazar, 5,000 trawlers unable to catch Hilsa
Big fishermen are unable to put their boats out due to rough seas. Fishermen are fishing near the coast in small dinghies. Teknaf coast today at noon Photo: Prothom Alo
The Bay of Bengal is rough due to the arrival of the monsoon in full swing. Due to this, at least 5,000 trawlers from Cox’s Bazar are unable to put out to sea to catch Hilsa. Several small fishing boats have fished near the coast, but no Hilsa has been seen. Therefore, even though the fishing ban has ended, fishermen have not yet been able to open their profit accounts. Fishermen fishing near the coast are returning to the pier with fish like Laitya, Maitya, Guija, Tailya, Popa, Kamila. Hilsa is also found, but in small numbers.
Seas rough in Cox’s Bazar, 5,000 trawlers unable to catch Hilsa
It has been raining heavily in Cox’s Bazar since Tuesday morning. The sea is also very rough. The height of the waves has increased by four to five feet compared to normal and is crashing on the coast. Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar office of the Meteorological Department, said that heavy rains have started since 10 am yesterday, Monday due to the activity of the southwest monsoon. 48 millimeters of rain has been recorded in Cox’s Bazar in the previous 12 hours till 6 am today. Fishermen said that it is not possible to go to a depth of 70-80 kilometers in the sea with a small trawler. Even if you want to catch hilsa, you have to wait at least 7 to 12 days in such a depth of the sea. But due to the hostile weather, it is not possible. Fishermen are now fishing in an area of 10-12 kilometers of the sea.
Delwar Hossain, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Fishing Boat Owners’ Association, told Prothom Alo this afternoon that the 58-day government ban ended on June 12. But the sea is rough right after that. In such a situation, it is risky to go fishing in the sea. There are 6,000 small and big fishing trawlers in Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Maheshkhali, Teknaf, St. Martin, Chakaria, Pekua and Kutubdia. Of these, 5,000 large trawlers are unable to enter the sea. Around a lakh fishermen of these trawlers are living an unemployed life. However, 1,000 small trawlers have been fishing in an area of 10-12 kilometers for two days. Along with small and big fish, 20-50 hilsa are also being caught in each trawler.
Delwar Hossain also said that the sea is rough for two months, Ashadh and Shrawan. This time is a ‘natural closure’ for coastal fishermen. This ‘natural closure’ situation may persist in the sea for one and a half months until July 20. If the situation normalizes in the meantime, the fishermen will go down to the sea to catch hilsa.
