Khalil Uddin Farid, Bhola

After a 22-day fishing ban, fishermen in Bhola have returned to the rivers and sea with renewed hopes of catching hilsa. The ban was lifted at midnight on Thursday (October 29),

prompting fishermen at various landing stations across the district to prepare for the new fishing season. Repairing trawlers, cleaning nets and arranging essential fishing equipment, they are once again heading towards the rivers and sea with hopes of a better catch.

After remaining out of work for an extended period, the fishermen hope to catch hilsa in abundance, repay their debts and restore financial stability to their families.

However, allegations have emerged that many genuine fishermen did not receive government relief rice during the fishing ban.

According to relevant sources, a ban on catching all types of fish was imposed in approximately 190 kilometres of rivers in Bhola from October 8 to protect hilsa breeding grounds and increase production. During the 22-day restriction, fishermen in coastal communities faced severe financial hardship as they were unable to earn their usual income. With no alternative employment available, many had to borrow money from fish traders and local lenders to support their families.

Muslim Majhi, a fisherman from Ward No. 8 of Dhaligouranagar Union in Lalmohan upazila of Bhola, said the ban had left him struggling to make ends meet.

“Life was extremely difficult during the ban. I had to borrow money from others to run my household. On top of that, there was pressure from NGO representatives to pay loan instalments. Now that the ban has ended, I hope a good catch from the river will help me repay some of my debts,” he said.

Many fishermen are facing similar circumstances. Although fishing is the primary source of income for their families, household expenses continued throughout the ban even as their earnings came to a halt. As a result, many have returned to fishing with the burden of debt weighing heavily on them.

Nurul Islam Moulvi, a member of Ward No. 8 in Dhaligouranagar Union, said nearly 90 per cent of the area's residents depend on fishing for their livelihoods. Most of them have taken loans from various NGOs and repay them in instalments.

He said the suspension of income during the ban had created difficulties for fishermen in meeting their repayment obligations, forcing him to intervene in several disputes over unpaid instalments.

“When fishermen have no income during the ban, their financial hardship must be taken into account. The government should take initiatives to suspend NGO loan instalments during this period,” he said.

Although the government provided assistance to fishermen during the ban, local residents alleged that many eligible fishermen did not receive the relief rice.

They called for proper identification of genuine beneficiaries and measures to ensure that government assistance reaches the intended recipients in accordance with official lists.

Fishermen said that although fishing activities were suspended, expenses for food, medical treatment, children's education and loan repayments did not stop. They stressed the need for timely government assistance and alternative employment opportunities to help families survive during future fishing bans.

Bhola District Fisheries Officer Md. Delwar Hossain said the fishing ban in the hilsa sanctuary had been successful in protecting the fish. He expressed hope that the measure would increase production and bring greater benefits to fishermen.

According to the fisheries officer, Bhola has 143,656 registered fishing families. During the 22-day ban, a total of 3,591.4 metric tonnes of Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) rice were distributed as humanitarian assistance to these families.

After a prolonged break, fish landing centres and wholesale markets across Bhola have begun to regain their usual activity. Fishermen are preparing their boats, trawlers and nets before setting out for the rivers and sea.

They hope that favourable conditions and an adequate hilsa catch will help them overcome at least some of the financial difficulties accumulated during the ban.

Enforcing fishing bans is essential to protect mother hilsa during their breeding season and increase future production. However, safeguarding the livelihoods of fishing communities is equally important.

Ensuring that government assistance reaches the right beneficiaries, introducing special arrangements for loan repayments and creating alternative employment opportunities during the ban could help reduce the financial hardship faced by fishermen.

As they return to fishing after 22 days, fishermen along the Meghna are looking to the future with renewed hope. They expect an abundant supply of hilsa from the rivers and sea, relief from mounting debts and greater financial security for their families.

For thousands of fishing families along the coast of Bhola, the coming days will determine whether those hopes turn into reality.