Patharghata fishermen face hostile weather right after 22-day ban ends

After the long 22-day fishing ban ended, fishermen of Patharghata in Barguna who went out to sea have run into hostile weather. They had expected plenty of hilsa after the ban, but the adverse conditions have created anxiety and uncertainty among them.

The sky over Patharghata was cloudy on Friday. Gusty winds blew alongside several spells of rain.

According to the Met office’s marine forecast, a low pressure area lies over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining areas and may intensify further. Rain and thundershowers have also been forecast over various parts of the Bay of Bengal.

With fishing closed for a long time, many fishermen had to run their households on borrowed money. As the ban ended, they rushed out with boats, trawlers and nets hoping for plenty of hilsa. The expectation was that the ban would increase hilsa abundance and help them recover earlier losses. But hostile weather right at the start of the season has dampened that hope.

Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of the Barguna District Fishermen Trawler Owners Association, said fishermen suffered greatly last hilsa season too because of hostile weather. In adverse conditions it was often impossible to go to sea. Even now, many fishermen who went out fishing remain missing.

Golam Mostafa Chowdhury added that fishermen went to sea with new hope after the 22-day ban. But hostile weather at the very start of the season has created apprehension among them. If the weather does not turn favourable, getting the expected catch will be difficult. At the same time, the safety risk for fishermen at sea will rise.

Meanwhile, alongside the fishermen at sea, their family members are also living in anxiety. In particular, the incidents of fishermen going missing in hostile weather last season have deepened their worries. These coastal families are passing their days waiting for their loved ones to return safely to the landing stations.