Home ›› 11 Dec 2021 ›› Nation
Hundreds of dried fish producers and traders in Asharchar Shutki Palli of Taltoli upazila in Barguna have faced a massive loss after the cyclonic storm Jawad wreaked havoc in the coastal areas of Barishal.
They have faced a loss of nearly Tk 50 lakh as the incessant rain of at least five days (December 4 to 8) and tidal waves spurred by the cyclonic storm ruined at least 4,000 tonnes of dried fish. The rest of the dried fish was saturated and damaged.
Over 500 dried fish traders and producers from all around the country come to the Shutki Palli and make temporary settlements to catch fish from the Bay and then process and sell those.
Taking loans from the dadandars (traders who provide loans as advance), the fishermen prepare their trawlers, fishing nets, and teams to fish in the sea during the season.
They dry their catch in the sun on the shore and make different kinds of dried fish, which are acclaimed for their taste in the domestic and global markets.
However, this season, all their hard work has gone to waste as a large amount of their produce has been ruined in the rain.
Each of them has lost Tk 2-4 lakh worth of dried fish due to the hostile weather and untimely rain, they said, adding that this loss will impact the country’s overall revenue from dried fish.
Sekandar Ali, a dried fish trader of the area, told The Business Post that he lost Tk 3 lakh worth of dried fish in the last five days.
“I make a profit of Tk 1.5 lakh each season. However, my losses are twice my expected profit. I would not be able to recoup the losses this season,” he said.
He further mentioned not only the dried fish producers but also the fishermen faced immense losses last week.
Jamal Akon, another dried fish trader, said that he, along with 30 other fishermen, is sitting idle at their temporary sheds as the weather in the sea is still hostile.
“Even if we work a double shift for the rest of the season, we would not be able to recoup the losses of the last five days. We do not know how we would be able to repay the dadandars,” he said.
“I was processing dried fish worth Tk 3 lakh on the shore, which floated away with the high tidal waves. I expected to make a profit of Tk 2 lakh, but now it is difficult even to retrieve the production cost I already spent on my business,” said Jafar Akon, a dried fish trader.
Shamsul Haque, another dried fish producer, said that the losses they faced last week are not retrievable in this season. However, he expects to earn at least some money to repay his loans. “The weather at the sea is still hostile. If we can start fishing now, I am optimistic that we still can make a profit.”
Addressing the issues, Mahbubul Alam, fisheries officer of the upazila, told The Business Post that they are trying to estimate the losses so that they can contact the higher authorities and help the affected fishermen.
“This year’s loss is unprecedented and will affect the country’s overall revenue. We will surely help the fishermen, traders and producers involved in the dried fish trade so that they can recoup the losses,” said the fisheries officer
