Mongla, Oct 31 (V7N) – Thousands of fishermen at Dublar Char along the Sundarbans coast are facing a difficult start to the dry fish season as persistent rain and rough seas, triggered by a low-pressure system, disrupt fishing and fish-drying activities.
Heavy rainfall on Friday, the first day of the season, affected preparations across Dublar Char and nearby fishing grounds. Many fishermen have been unable to venture into the sea, while others are struggling to build temporary shelters and drying facilities. A lack of sunshine has also prevented them from properly drying their catch, putting their seasonal livelihoods at risk.
The disruption has raised concerns not only over fishermen’s earnings but also over their ability to repay loans and advances taken from local traders, known as mahajans, to finance their seasonal operations. The interruption could also affect the Forest Department’s revenue target of Tk 8 crore from the season.
Fishermen said fishing and dry fish production generally continue from late October until March at Dublar Char, Alorkol, Meher Ali and other nearby islands in the Sundarbans. Thousands of fishermen and fish workers from different coastal districts gather at these locations every year.
Before the season begins, they bring fishing equipment and supplies to the islands and build temporary homes, fish-drying racks and other facilities. This year, however, adverse weather has disrupted those preparations from the outset.
Heavy rain that began on Thursday night continued throughout Friday. Many fishermen could not complete construction of their shelters and drying facilities. Rough seas also prevented a large number of boats from heading into deeper waters. Some fishermen managed to catch fish closer to the coast, but they could not dry their catch properly because of the lack of sunlight.
Khaliur Rahman, forest range officer and in-charge of the Dublar Char fishing settlement, said heavy rainfall had continued in the area since Thursday night.
He said the adverse weather had disrupted fishing and the construction of shelters for fishermen arriving at the beginning of the season.
Rahman added that loans and investments were a major source of concern for the fishermen. Many had borrowed money or taken advances from traders to cover the costs of fishing, producing dried fish and living on the islands.
They had expected to begin earning from fishing and selling dried fish early in the season so they could repay their debts. However, the weather-related disruption has put those investments at risk. If conditions do not improve, fishermen could face lower earnings and difficulties repaying their loans, he said.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department has set a revenue target of Tk 8 crore from this year's dry fish season. Reduced fishing and production could have a negative impact on revenue collection as well.
The thousands of fishermen who have travelled to Dublar Char for the season are now hoping for an improvement in the weather. If the adverse conditions persist, the impact could extend beyond their seasonal earnings to debt repayment and the Forest Department's revenue target.
END/AHS/SMA/
