Hilsa is not being found in Meghna River. Fishing trawlers are returning empty-handed with the burden of debt after floating in the rough river day and night with the hope of finding fish.
As a result, fishermen are not getting any source of income from alternative sources in times of crisis.
Fisherman Md Alauddin (38) said, “I went fishing in Meghna River with 9 fishermen carrying nets on a trawler at a cost of Tk 3,000. At the end of the day I come to the wharf and sold all the fish at Tk 2,800, losing Tk 200 of my original investment. I am now in a lot of trouble with my family and running my family with borrowed money.”
Rakib, 20, a fisherman who catches fish in the Meghna River’s Satbaria fishing area, said there had been no fish in the river for several days. Those who went fishing in the river returned empty handed. The little amount of earnings does not even cover the fuel cost and debt is increasing rapidly. So, not many fishermen are going to the river in search of fish as they fear losses.
Abu Taher (50), another fisherman of the area said, “I sit on a boat and float in the river setting my nets but can't find any fish. There are no fish in the river and I don’t know what to do. Today, I borrowed some Tk 200 from a boatman and there are 7 members in my family. I don’t know how I will feed them as I am already under a lot of debt.”
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Fisherman Md Salauddin (45) said, “We are spending our days with great difficulty as there is no Hilsa fish to be found in Meghna River.”
Fisherman Nuruddin (35) said that it has become very difficult to run a family because of not getting any fish. On top of that, I can't pay Tk 1,100 per week installment of the Tk 40,000 loan I took from Asha Samiti. They continuously visit my home to collect the installment but, I have no way to pay them back. I don’t know what to do.”
Md Nure Alam (45), a fisherman of Hakimuddin Ghat area said, “There are no fish available in the river, we fishermen are in a lot of trouble. The fish caught in the net does not even cover the cost of fuel oil.”
Meghna seven house fishing area storekeeper said.
Fish traders Md Yusuf and A Rahman of Shatbaria fishing area of Meghna River said, “The fishermen are in trouble as they could not catch Hilsa in their nets. As a result we are also in trouble. Fishermen are borrowing money and spending their days in much hardship.”