Patuakhali fishermen struggle as seasonal haul drops 42%

For Aker Ali Khan, a 55-year-old fisherman from Patuakhali, the peak hilsa season was meant to be a financial lifeline. Instead, nearly two months in, his catch is so meager it barely covers his expenses. He took out loans from an NGO and a moneylender to buy a boat and nets, hoping to repay them during the June-October season.

"Most of the Tentulia river is known as a hilsa sanctuary. Yet there are fewer fish this year," Aker Ali said. "I have to pay the NGO loan instalments and also repay a moneylender. My biggest worry now is how I will repay these debts when I am catching so few fish."

“

I have to pay the NGO loan instalments and also repay a moneylender. My biggest worry now is how I will repay these debts when I am catching so few fish.

His situation is mirrored by other fishermen, like Ishtak Bhuiyan, who relies on fishing to support his two children's education. His wife secured an NGO loan, and he took an advance from fish traders for their boat and nets. "The amount of hilsa we are catching is barely enough to cover our household expenses," he stated. "On top of that, we have NGO instalments and money owed to traders. I do not know how I will repay all these debts."

Data from the Bauphal Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer confirms the grim reality. In June and July, 511 tonnes of hilsa were caught, a stark drop from 883 tonnes during the same period last year. This 42% decrease, amounting to 372 tonnes, has intensified fears among fishermen. With a fishing ban set to begin in November along a 100-kilometer hilsa sanctuary stretch of the Tentulia River, many worry about their ability to manage their debts if the catch doesn't improve significantly before then.

“

The amount of hilsa we are catching is barely enough to cover our household expenses. On top of that, we have NGO instalments and money owed to traders. I do not know how I will repay all these debts.