Inclement weather frustrates hilsa fishermen in Cox's Bazar

It should have been a busy, festive time for the fishermen in Cox's Bazar after the 65-day ban on fishing.

However, two weeks after the ban was lifted, they are still forced to sit idle as rough weather is preventing them from going out to the sea to catch fish -- the only occupation they know to earn their living.

They say they are unemployed for nearly three months as, prior to the ban, rough weather caused by cyclone Mocha prevented them from fishing for days.

Md Badrudduzza, manager of Cox's Bazar Fish Landing Station and Wholesale Market, said only 2.76 tonnes of hilsa were caught since the ban was lifted on July 23 whilst the amount was 154 tonnes during the same period last year.

The hilsa trawlers could not go into the deep sea due to high waves, he said.

"Among 5,000 fishing trawlers of Cox's Bazar, 3,000 are capable of catching hilsa fish. Last year, 8,100 tonnes of marine fish, including 3,975 tonnes of hilsa, were brought at Cox's Bazar Fish Landing Station," he added.

"We expect that the monsoon would bring luck for us in the coming days," said Badrudduzza.

Nurul Absar, a fisherman living in Samitypara in Cox's Bazar, said, "Before the start of the 65-day fishing ban, we could not go to the sea as cyclone Mocha hit the coastal area on May 14. Now the inclement weather keeps us away from going far in the Bay.

"For around three months, we could not go to the sea for fishing. If the weather continues like this, how could we survive? " Nurul added.

Delwar Hossain, secretary of Cox's Bazar District Fishing Trawler Owners' Association, said "At least 50 of the trawlers went to the sea and met accidents due to the rough weather."

He, however, termed the period of fishing ban "impractical and untimely".

"The authority should impose the ban on fishing based on ground realities. The ban came a month early than required. Around 75,000 fishermen in the district are facing hardships as they have been unemployed for around 90 days," he added.

At present, a moderate to strong monsoon is active over Bangladesh and the North Bay, causing heavy rainfall and high waves with strong winds at the sea, said Abdur Rahman, assistant meteorologist of Cox's Bazar Meteorological Department.

The current bad weather may continue till August 10, he said.