Hundreds of fishing trawlers remain anchored at the Mohipur and Alipur fish harbours in Patuakhali district despite the peak hilsa fishing season being in full swing. Severe electricity disruptions across the region have crippled local ice plants, causing a drastic shortfall in ice supplies required to preserve catches during extended deep-sea expeditions.
Trawler skippers report that a single fishing voyage typically requires between 150 and 200 cans of ice to maintain the fresh quality of hilsa catches before returning to shore. However, recurrent power cuts over the past week have forced ice factories to run well below operational capacity. The supply deficit has driven the price of a standard ice can from 150 BDT to 300 BDT, yet even at doubled rates, fishermen are unable to secure adequate quantities.
The impasse has left crews stranded at the docks while operational overheads accumulate. Sayed Miah, skipper of the trawler FB Sonabanu originating from Banshkhali, has been waiting at the Mohipur landing centre for five days. He explained that local ice suppliers could only offer 50 to 60 cans even at inflated prices—a quantity insufficient for a multi-day voyage into deep waters. Similarly, Mizan Hossain, owner of the Alipur-based vessel FB Nurjahan, noted that his trawler has been grounded for an entire week, escalating financial losses during what should be the most lucrative period of the year.
To keep operations running, some wholesale fish merchants have resorted to sourcing ice from distant districts. Rahim Khan, proprietor of Khan Fish in Alipur, stated that supplies are being trucked in from Khulna, Bagerhat, and Barisal. This alternative, however, incurs substantial transport expenses and introduces logistical delays that further compress profit margins for boat owners, wholesalers, and fish traders alike.
Ice factory operators maintain that running heavy refrigeration equipment on diesel generators is commercially unviable, leaving them dependent on the national grid. Local trade associations have urged authorities to grant priority electricity access to the Mohipur and Alipur harbour zones to safeguard the coastal fishing economy.
Addressing the crisis, Abul Kashem, General Manager of the Patuakhali Rural Electrification Society (Palli Bidyut Samiti), attributed the persistent blackouts to national primary fuel shortages. Patuakhali district requires approximately 130 megawatts (MW) of electricity daily, but receives only 85 MW from the national grid. This daily deficit of 45 MW means the utility can meet only 65 per cent of regional demand, necessitating rolling load-shedding schedule rotations. Officials indicate that grid stability and ice production will only recover once national fuel supplies normalize and idle generation units resume operations.
Comments