Thousands of coastal fishermen in Barguna are preparing to venture back into the Bay of Bengal as the government’s 22-day seasonal ban on catching Hilsa and other marine fish officially expires at midnight on Thursday. Fish landing centres across the southern maritime district—including Patharghata, Taltali, Amtali, and Barguna Sadar—are witnessing a flurry of activity. Trawler crews and vessel owners are working around the clock, inspecting diesel engines, mending damaged nets, and loading ice, fuel, and essential provisions for extended sea voyages.
The lifting of the ban brings a mix of hope and anxiety to coastal fishing communities. Whilst trawler crews harbour hopes of a bountiful Hilsa harvest, deep-seated worries persist over rising operational expenses, mounting debts, and the unpredictability of fish stocks. Having endured three weeks without a source of income, many seafaring families were forced to take high-interest loans to cover basic living costs. Vessel owners warn that unless the upcoming trips yield substantial catches, financial losses will escalate, pushing vulnerable households deeper into debt.
Operational challenges are compounded by long-standing disparities in government safety net distribution. Official records from the fisheries department list 52,476 registered fishermen in Barguna district, but local community leaders estimate that nearly 50,000 genuine fishermen remain unregistered. Local crews allege that nepotism and political irregularities during list-compilation under the previous Awami League administration left thousands of actual seafaring workers without state relief. Consequently, the assistance provided during the enforcement period fell far short of meeting the needs of the coastal population.
To protect spawning Hilsa during the breeding cycle, the district fisheries department conducted an intensive monitoring campaign across coastal waters. Authorities executed 325 field raids and operated 84 mobile courts, resulting in 30 fishermen receiving custodial sentences, 10 legal cases being registered, and 81,000 BDT collected in administrative fines. Enforcement officers also confiscated nearly 600,000 metres of prohibited current nets. On the relief front, state agencies distributed 986.725 metric tonnes of rice amongst 39,469 registered fishermen.
Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, President of the Barguna Trawler Owners’ Association, highlighted the severe pressures facing vessel operators, noting that soaring fuel prices have drastically increased the capital required to launch each trip. He urged authorities to overhaul beneficiary lists to ensure genuine fishermen receive adequate state support during future closures. Meanwhile, Barguna District Fisheries Officer Mohammad Ziauddin reaffirmed that seasonal bans remain vital to safeguarding marine biodiversity and boosting national fish production, expressing optimism that a lucrative Hilsa harvest will allow coastal communities to clear their debts and recover financially.
