SOHRAB HOSSAIN, Patuakhali

The familiar roar of fishing trawlers has fallen silent along Patuakhali’s coast as a 58-day government ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal takes effect -- an essential step for conserving marine resources, but one that is simultaneously straining the livelihoods of fishing communities and intensifying their financial hardship.

At the Mahipur-Alipur fisheries hubs and Kuakata beach channel, rows of idle trawlers now line the shore. Fishermen, instead of heading to sea, pass time mending nets or repairing boats, tasks that bring no income.

The restriction, aimed at ensuring the safe breeding of hilsa and other marine species, came into force on April 14 and will remain in effect until June 11.

For many, the timing has compounded hardship, coming just as fishers were beginning to recover from a prolonged fuel crisis.

“I have been fishing since childhood. I don’t know any other work. Income has stopped, but expenses haven’t,” said Rafique Majhi, 52, the sole earner of a six-member family.

Struggling to meet daily needs and his children’s education costs, Rafique has taken loans of nearly Tk 2 lakh from local lenders, while continuing to repay NGO instalments. “Government support should come at the very beginning of the ban. Without suspending loan repayments, it will be difficult for us to survive,” he added.

Faruk Majhi, 40, said assistance in the form of rice is inadequate. “We are supposed to receive 80kg of rice, but in reality, we get less. And rice alone is not enough, there are costs for oil, lentils, and medicine,” he said, suggesting at least Tk 5,000 in cash support is needed.

“Debts are rising and fish stocks are declining. I am thinking of leaving this profession and learning to drive a rickshaw,” Faruk added.

The impact extends beyond fishermen. Workers at landing centres and traders who depend on the sector are also struggling. “We are forced to rely on borrowing to run our households,” said Kabir Hossain, an employee at Mahipur fish landing centre.

Fish trader Abdul Jalil Gharami noted that traders, who often provide advance payments to fishermen, are under pressure as well. “We were already struggling with the fuel crisis. Now the ban has added to our difficulties,” he said.

According to the District Fisheries Office, 63,155 registered fishermen in Patuakhali are affected, with 53,750 covered under the Vulnerable Group Feeding programme. Each is set to receive 77kg of rice in phases during the ban.

District Fisheries Officer Bijon Kumar Nandi said a proposal has been sent to the higher authorities to provide fishers with cash assistance alongside rice.