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Despite being the peak fishing season, a severe shortage of hilsa has left thousands of fishermen in Hatiya upazila struggling to make ends meet, triggering widespread hardship across the coastal island.
Fishermen say that from April to August is typically the prime season for hilsa. As in previous years, fishers from around 20 Ghats—including Nijhum Dwip, Bandar Tila, Suizer Ghat, Moktaria, Danardol, Surjomukhi, Kazir Bazar, Bangla Bazar and Chairman Ghat—have been venturing into the river in search of fish.
However, despite most of the season having passed, the expected hilsa catch has not been achieved this year
As a result, nearly 10,000 small and big fishing boats are returning empty-handed almost every day. The businessman has affected not only fishermen but also labours, traders and aratdars, leaving over lakh people associated with the sector in distress.
Fishermen say daily expenses for fuel and food continue to rise, while income has virtually dried up, pushing many into debt.The landing stations are no longer as busy as they used to be and frustration is growing among fishing communities.
Ali Mia, a fisherman at Surjomukhi Ghat who came from Daulatkhan in Bhola in search of better catches, said he has not been able to send any money home despite working for over a month.
“My five member family is struggling to survive. They want money, but I have nothing to send,” he said, adding that his boat has already accumulated significant debt.
The shortage has also slowed activity at landing stations, with many businessmen unable to pay workers. At Surjomukhi Ghat, about 50labours who carry fish from boats earn as little as Tk 200 a day—or even less—sharing the amount among themselves.
Worker Nobir Sardar said many labours have already left the profession due to low income.Businesses are also being affected with some shutting down temporarily.
Jabial Haque, president of the Hatiya Surjomukhi Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, said around one lakh people in Hatiya depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
“After the 58-day fishing ban ended, nearly 10,000 boats returned to the river. But due to poor catches, Almost half of the boats have stopped going out ” he said.
He added that many of those still fishing are facing continuous losses, as operating costs exceed earnings. Some fishermen have even left secretly without informing boat owners due to lack of income.
Hatiya upazila Fisheries Officer Faizur Rahman attributed the hilsa shortage to several factors, including illegal catching of juvenile fish (jatka), overfishing of breeding hilsa, river pollution , formation of underwater and climate change impacts.
However, he expressed hope that catches may improve in the latter part of the season.