Saidul Islam Montu, Betagi (Barguna) 

Habir Gazi (50), a fisherman from Uttar Kalikabari village under Kajirabad Union of Betagi upazila in Barguna district, has been catching fish since the age of ten. He is the only earning member in a seven-member family that includes a disabled daughter.

 His family somehow survived on the income he earned from fishing in the Bishkhali River. But now, due to the government’s 22-day ban on fishing to ensure the safe breeding of Hilsa, he has become unemployed and fallen into hardship. The authorities are conducting drives—nets are being seized and burned. Now he spends sleepless nights worrying about household expenses, loan installments, and 'dadon' (advance loan)  pressure.

Not only Habir Gazi, but also fishermen like Mayur Jan (50) of Buramajumdar village, Rokeya Begum (45) of Gramaddarn village, Anwara Begum (45) of Badnikhali village, Mona (34) and Sujon (40) of Balaibunia village, Md. Bellal (45) and Al-Amin (35) of Talbari village, Md. Faruk Mir (45) and Jalal Mir (48) of Uttar Kalikabari village, Mohibullah Palowan (35) and Halim Sikder (45) of Kalikabari village under Sarrishamuri union, Md. Miraj (45), Afzal Bhandari (45) of Dakkhin Kalikabari, Md. Faruk (50) of Aliabad village, Alam Mallik (35) of Bara Mokamia village, Zakir Hossain (50) and Monsur Boyati (55) of Chhoto Mokamia, Md. Riaz (55) of Hosnabad village, Md. Shahin (50) and Md. Sujon (45) of Jhophkhali village under Betagi Sadar Union, Taiyab Ali (55) and Amjad Hossain (50) of Bibichini village, and Jiten Das of Ward No. 5 under Betagi Municipality—all depend entirely on fishing for their livelihood.

Like them, about 3,182 registered fishermen across Betagi upazila—including its municipality of 150,000 people and seven unions—are now in the same distress. They say Ashar to Ashwin is the peak Hilsa season. But during this period, there is a 65-day fishing ban and another 22-day restriction. Along with bad weather and poor Hilsa catch this year, the small amount of rice distributed during the ban is insufficient to support their families. Many live in hunger and hardship, burdened with loan installments. Even during the peak season, the shortage of Hilsa has added to their suffering.

According to multiple union sources, the fishermen’s list has not been updated since 2020. The total number of fishermen in Betagi upazila is 4,375, but the Upazila Fisheries Office states that currently 3,182 fishermen are registered. Of them, 3,111 fishermen received 77 metric tons of rice as government aid.

Fishermen allege that the old list still includes people who have changed professions, while many new fishermen are being deprived of assistance. Among them, 69 registered fishermen have yet to receive any rice allocation, leaving their families in uncertainty and despair.

Md. Sujon Mia, a fish trader from Betagi Municipality, said, “It has become extremely difficult to run a family now. Not only fishermen, but also workers, traders, commission agents, and local vendors have become jobless. Many traders took loans to buy boats and nets; now they are struggling to repay them. Some are even thinking about changing professions.”

Md. Abdur Rob Sikder, President of the National Fishermen’s Association, Betagi Upazila branch, said, “The 25 kg of rice given as incentive during the ban period is not enough to sustain a family. 

Betagi Upazila Fisheries Officer Md. Turan said that rice allocations have already been distributed among fishermen. “Some are demanding a delay in the ban period, but that is not possible. Before fixing the ban, the government considered opinions from local fishermen and stakeholders, and everyone agreed on the timeline,” he added.

Barishal Divisional Fisheries Department’s Deputy Director Kamrul Hasan said, “The demand for financial incentives for fishermen has been discussed. 

UNO  Harekrishna Adhikari, who also serves as the chairman of the Hilsa Resource Development Taskforce Committee in Betagi, said, the government has imposed this ban as part of a well-planned effort to protect mother Hilsa. If implemented properly, it will ensure an abundance of Hilsa in the future.