Fishermen at Dublar Char, the country’s largest dry fish production centre located in East Sundarbans, have been plunged into deep crisis at the very start of this season, following a sudden onslaught of adverse weather.
Thousands of fishermen and bahaddars gathered at the dry fish villages across four designated chars – Alorkol, Majherkilla, Narkelbaria, and Shalar Char – in the Sharankhola Range in the early hours of Friday.
However, strong stormy winds and high waves in the Bay of Bengal forced those who ventured out to harvest fish to battle the elements in vain before returning to shore.
Dual operations brought to a standstill
By long-standing custom, the arrival at the char on the first day marks a dual effort – one group sets sail into the deep sea to catch fish, while another remains at the fishermen’s village to clear weeds, construct living quarters, set up storage depots, and build drying racks, chatals, and fences.
But this season, the severe weather brought both operations to a sudden standstill. Hundreds of fishing boats and trawlers have ceased fishing and sought safe shelter in various khals of the Sundarbans and near the dry fish villages.
Meanwhile, incessant rain and gusty winds have severely disrupted the essential groundwork on land, delaying the construction of living huts, storage facilities, and drying infrastructure.
The setback on land poses as grave a threat as the turbulent sea, as prompt infrastructure development is vital for dry fish production. Fish harvested from the ocean must be dried immediately on the chatals and racks to prevent them from rotting and spoiling.
With fishing suspended on one hand and the preparation of drying facilities stalled on the other, both fishermen and bahaddars now face dark prospects of heavy financial losses right at the beginning of the season.
Grim prospects and fears of heavy losses
Describing the grim conditions, Md Zakir Sheikh, bahaddar of Alorkol dry fish village and general secretary of Rampal Fishermen’s Association, said that heavy winds and waves in the sea forced fishermen to return shortly after heading out in the morning.
He explained that all boats and trawlers were safely anchored, but house construction was being carried out amidst rain. He added that if the weather does not improve within the next one or two days, traders and fishermen will suffer major losses early in the season.
Expressing similar concern, Abdur Rauf Member, another bahaddar of Alorkol and president of Chakla Fishermen’s Co-operative Society, said that bad weather has made it impossible to carry out any work properly.
He noted that catching fish is pointless if the land is not cleared and drying racks, chatals, and fences are not ready, as the catch will rot without drying arrangements, which is why fishing has been temporarily halted.
Sheltered in Sundarbans canals
Speaking over the phone at around 3pm on Friday, Md Khalilur Rahman, forest ranger in charge of Dubla Fishermen Village Special Patrol Post, confirmed that fishermen and bahaddars were facing a critical situation at the start of the season.
He noted that although a section of fishermen set out into the sea in the morning, high waves prevented them from staying out for long, compelling them to return with their boats and trawlers.
The forest ranger added that all vessels were currently staying safely near the char and in small khals inside the Sundarbans.
He explained that while adverse weather has disrupted normal activities, efforts were underway to ensure overall security for the fishermen and mahajans residing on the char and to render necessary support during the crisis.
Revenue and livelihoods in peril
Highlighting the broader economic stakes, Md Shariful Islam, assistant conservator of forests (ACF) of Sharankhola Range in East Sundarbans, said that dry fish production, the financial gains or losses of mahajans, and government revenue collection all hinge entirely on favourable weather conditions.
He explained that the initial disruption to fishing and processing has caused widespread anxiety among traders.
The assistant conservator of forests noted that for the current dry fish season, approval was granted to construct 1,018 fishermen’s huts, 67 depot huts, and 116 shop huts across the four designated chars.
He added that delays in building these structures will hamper expected dry fish production, resulting in heavy losses for both the Forest Department and the mahajans, leaving everyone with no alternative but to wait for the weather to normalise.
