Amid the peak monsoon season, when hilsa fishing usually thrives, fishermen in Bangladesh’s coastal rivers are returning empty-handed.
Despite braving rough seas and spending long hours on the water, hilsa remains scarce in the Meghna and Tetulia rivers; largely due to climate change, shifting river patterns and declining water quality.
In what is supposed to be peak season, the once-bustling riverfront fish markets are now eerily quiet and the financial strain is mounting on both traders and fishermen, many of whom are in debt.
Fishermen from areas like Char Fesson’s New Sulij Ghat and Samraj Fish Landing Station say they are heading out to the rivers in groups every day but returning with little or no catch.
In some cases, their earnings don’t even cover fuel and supply costs. “We spent Tk 80,000 for a fishing trip three days ago and earned only Tk 50,000 from what we caught. Since then, we haven’t caught any fish,” said one frustrated fisherman.
The lack of supply has pushed hilsa prices beyond the reach of average consumers, affecting not just fishing families but the broader economy of the coastal region.
Botanical and environmental changes have also contributed to the crisis. Fishermen report rising salinity, poor river navigability, low rainfall and weakened upstream water flow; all of which are disrupting hilsa migration patterns. Climate change, they say, is shifting river courses and making traditional fishing grounds less viable.
Every year, the months of Asharh and Srabon bring the peak hilsa season.
During this time, riverside auctions are usually bustling with buyers and traders. This year, however, the scene is the opposite; empty boats and idle markets.
Kabir Hossain, manager of Samraj Ghat ice plant, noted that boats continue to head into the sea each morning, driven by hope, but most return in disappointment. “They’re not getting the catch they expected,” he said.
Tanvir Ahmed, marine fisheries officer of Char Fesson, acknowledged the challenges. “There are too many boats in the river and overfishing outside peak seasons has worsened the crisis. Climate change is also playing a big role,” he said.
Meanwhile, Char Fesson fisheries officer added that the government continues to impose seasonal fishing bans to aid reproduction and provides food and livestock support to affected fishermen. Efforts are also underway to register unauthorized vessels and better manage fishing practices.
For now, however, the fishermen of Char Fesson and surrounding coastal areas are caught in a cycle of debt, dwindling hope and an ever-shrinking catch.
SF/SH
