The Bakkhali River, usually a bustling artery for Bangladesh’s fishing industry, has turned into a graveyard of anchored vessels. Hundreds of trawlers sit idle as a devastating "double blow"—a severe diesel shortage followed by a 58-day government fishing ban—threatens the livelihoods of nearly 200,000 fishermen and their families.
A Ghost Town at Sea The 58-day ban, effective from April 15, aims to protect marine fish breeding. However, the crisis began weeks earlier with a fuel shortage that left boats "frozen like skeletons" at the docks. The silence at the Cox’s Bazar fish landing center is deafening. Usually alive with the trade of silver hilsa and coral fish, the wholesale markets are now empty.
The stagnation has triggered a domino effect, paralyzing ice factories, net makers, and transport sectors. Local traders report that transactions worth crores of taka have vanished, effectively collapsing the coastal economy.
Voices from the Coast "I depend on the sea to feed my children," said Abdul Karim, a local fisherman, his voice breaking. "First, we couldn't go because we couldn't afford or find oil. Now, the law says we can't go at all. We are facing starvation."
Traders and ice mill owners share this despair. Abu Sultan, an ice factory owner, noted that demand for ice has hit zero. "We are struggling to pay electricity bills and staff wages. This 58-day period is a death knell for our investments," he said.
Market Impact: Prices Soar With the supply chain broken, retail fish prices in Cox’s Bazar and beyond have skyrocketed. Local staples like laitta, popa, and hilsa have seen price hikes ranging from 100 to 500 BDT per kg, making marine protein inaccessible to the average consumer.
The Road to Recovery Trawler owners, represented by Qayyamu Sawdagar, warn that the industry's future hangs by a thread. "Each trawler represents millions in investment. Without fair fuel prices or government intervention, we will be forced to shut down permanently."
In response, Cox’s Bazar District Fisheries Officer Muhammad Mizanur Rahman stated that the department is finalizing a list of unemployed fishermen to receive VGF (Vulnerable Group Feeding) rice. While the administration acknowledges the fuel crisis is under the jurisdiction of the Energy Department, they have formally requested a resolution to ensure fishermen can return to work once the breeding ban is lifted.
