The coastal district of Cox's Bazar produces dried fish, called shutki in Bangla, worth around Tk 300 crore every year, with about one lakh people directly involved in the trade.

The fish is also exported to different countries after meeting local demand, traders say.

The process of preparing dried fish starts in October in Naziratek in the town, Sonadia Island under Maheshkhali upazila, Sundaripara Chhanua riverbed in Pekua upazila, Teknaf, Shamlapur, St Martin's Island and Baro Ghop in Kutubdia upazila.

If the weather remains favourable, the process continues till February and March next year.

Naziratek on the beach at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal near Cox's Bazar airport has become the largest shutki mahal of the country in last one decade.

Naziratek Shutki Mahal has been built on 200 acres of land. Around 2,000 traders have invested here and several hundred have set up more than 50 wholesale shops.

President of Naziratek Shutki Traders Multipurpose Cooperative Society Shahadat Ullah said around 20,000 labourers work at the mahal during the production season. They produce around 50-60 lakh tonnes of dried fish worth around Tk 200 crore every season, he claimed.

Around 100 shutki shops have meanwhile popped up at the Old Burmese Market, Laboni beach, Jhinuk Market, Hotel-motel zone at Kalatoli beach and Old Jhinuk Market in the district headquarters. Tourists visiting Cox's Bazar buy dry fish from these shops, the main supply of which comes from Naziratek Shutki Mahal.

During a visit to Naziratek it was found that different species of fish are being processed. They include Chhuri, Laitta, Faisshya, Rupchanda, Matia, Poa, Chingri, Lakkhya, Kamila, Korati, Rupsha and Surma.

Chhuri is sold in wholesale rate at Tk 500 per kilogramme. Medium size Chingri is sold at Tk 1,000 per kg, while Rupchanda costs Tk 1,000-1,200 per kg.

Workers said they get daily wage of Tk 300 in addition to some raw fish.

However, Rahima Khatun, who works at the mahal, alleged both male and female workers have equal workload, but women get only Tk 200 for the same work every day.

A number of traders admitted that they use DDT powder and salt in their produce. District Fisheries Officer Amitosh Sen said small amount of DDT is used at field level. He added wholesalers and exporters use DDT to maintain quality.

Another large shutki mahal has been established at Sonadia in Maheshkhali. Dry fish produced in Sonadia has good reputation in different countries.

Shahabuddin, a trader at Sonadia, said dry fish worth about Tk 20-25 crore is produced in Sonadia every season. A significant amount of shutki is also produced in the St Martin's Island and most of it is sold to tourists.

Shahadat Ullah said they face difficulties due to poor communications system and lack of electricity. They have appealed to different quarters to solve their problems but in vain, he added.

He also urged the government to arrange soft loans for the dry fish traders at the start of the season.