Home ›› 17 Aug 2022 ›› Nation
Prices of fish increased in the markets as supply decreased after fishermen of the coastal districts of the Barishal division suspended fishing activities in the Bay of Bengal due to hostile weather conditions.
Local fishermen said they had to return to the coast after 7 August as the currents became too strong to fish safely.
Meanwhile, the price of hilsa has increased by Tk 5,000-6,000 per maund in the wholesale market of Barishal as the supply is low. The prices of other fishes have also increased.
In an on-spot visitation, this correspondent found that the hubbub at Barishal’s largest wholesale fish market on Port Road is lower than usual. At the offloading area of the port, trawlers are moored due to a lack of trade. Along with the business, the wages of the labourers also decreased.
Usually, the supply of fish is more during the rainy season. But due to a lack of supply, the prices have gone up. Currently, the price of hilsa weighing 900 grams is Tk 50,000 per maund, 1 kg is Tk 60,000 per maund, 1.2 kg is Tk 65,000 per maund and over 1.5 kg is Tk 75,000 per maund.
Meanwhile, the prices of other fishes have also increased in the market as shrimps are sold at Tk 800 per kg, tilapia at Tk 180 per kg, rui at Tk 320-350, cuttlefish at Tk 350, and coral at Tk 700 per kg.
According to the fishers, due to the sudden hike in fuel prices and other commodities, the cost of fishing in the sea has almost doubled. The traders are worried that the sudden increase in fuel prices will also impact the fishing industry.
After the 65-day fishing ban in the sea, the fishermen finally started fishing on 22 July and had been catching a good amount of fish every day. But the hostile weather and turbulent sea have forced to suspend fishing activities since 7 August.
According to the fisheries department sources, over 5,000 trawlers go out in the deep sea to fish from the coastal areas including Patharghata, Kolapara, and Taltoli ghat. A few lakh people in the region are dependent on fishing for their livelihood.
While fishing in the sea is done all around the year, the monsoon is the peak fishing season for hilsa. Not being able to fish for such a long time will negatively impact the fishing industry of the region.
According to the local traders, each trawler needs 15-17 workers, as well as ice, fuel, fishing equipment and other necessary costs. Many traders take high-interest loans to cover the cost of deep sea fishing endeavours.
With the fuel price hike, the traders are worried whether they would be able to repay the loans or make any profit during the height of the fishing season.
Depression in the Bay-of-Bengal
According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, a low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression. Many rivers of the coastal regions are flowing over danger levels and flooding surrounding areas.
On Sunday, the Meteorological Department has asked all fishing vessels to tread with caution as there is warning signal number 2 in the river ports and warning signal number 3 in the sea.
In the last 10 days, five trawlers have sunk in the Bay and estuary of the Meghna River due to strong tides and many fishermen are still missing.
On Monday, 13 fishermen who had been stranded in the Bay of Bengal for two days when the engine of their fishing boat failed were rescued by Mongla coastguards.
