Barguna, Apr 14 (V7N) – Thousands of fishermen in the coastal region of Barguna's Patharghata are bracing for unemployment as a 58-day ban on fishing in the Bay of Bengal comes into effect at midnight tonight (April 14th). The ban, implemented by the government to enhance fish reproduction and production, follows a sustained campaign by coastal fishermen and aligns with a similar blockade imposed by India.

"Thousands of fishermen in the coastal region of Barguna Patharghata will be unemployed for these 58 days. The fishermen's villages are going dark with the thought of becoming unemployed," reported Mahmudur Rahman Roni from Barguna.

A visit to the country's second-largest fish landing center revealed fishermen rushing to anchor their trawlers and sell their catches in the final hours before the ban. Despite their efforts, many expressed disappointment at not securing the expected amount of hilsa. Across various fishing villages in the upazila, a sense of worry and uncertainty prevails among fishermen and their families as they contemplate the impending 58 days without income. The prospect of facing poverty and hardship is casting a shadow over their usual activities and enthusiasm.

"I went to the country's second largest fish landing center and saw that fishermen were anchoring their trawlers at the last minute and were busy selling fish at the fish landing center. They were not happy because they did not get the expected hilsa. I went to different places in the upazila and saw that the fishermen and their families in the fishing villages are worried about losing their jobs. The thought that these 58 days will be spent in poverty and hardship is clouding their enthusiasm and activity," Roni detailed.

Patharghata upazila in Barguna is home to approximately 30,000 fishermen, with sea-going fishermen bearing the brunt of the 58-day unemployment period. Out of the 16,820 fishermen registered by the government in Patharghata, 11,411 are sea-going. During the previous 65-day blockade, these 11,411 fishermen received 86 kilograms of rice as government assistance. With this year's ban being seven days shorter, the amount of rice assistance they will receive remains uncertain.

"The number of fishermen in Patharghata upazila of Barguna is about 30 thousand. Among them, sea-going fishermen will be unemployed for 58 days. There are 16 thousand 820 fishermen registered by the government in Patharghata, of which 11 thousand 411 are sea-going fishermen. 11 thousand 411 fishermen have received 86 kg of rice as government assistance in the past 58 days of the blockade. Since the blockade is 7 days less this year than every year, it is uncertain how many kg of rice assistance they will receive," the report stated.

The fishermen voiced their concerns about the inadequacy of the government support, stating that the 86 kilograms of rice received during the longer previous ban was insufficient to sustain their families. They also alleged that the distribution process often involves intermediaries, further reducing the amount they actually receive. With the current market prices, relying solely on rice is unsustainable, and they are urgently appealing to the interim government for increased financial assistance.

"The fishermen said, 'In the past year, we have received 86 kg of rice as government assistance for the 65-day blockade. Our family cannot survive on this 86 kg of rice. We do not get this 86 kg of rice properly, this rice is distributed through various channels. Our lives are spent in poverty and hardship. We cannot survive on rice in the current market. We need financial assistance. We strongly demand an increase in our assistance from the current interim government,'" Roni quoted the fishermen.

Patharghata Fisheries worker Hasibul Haque confirmed the implementation of the ban, emphasizing its aim to boost fish breeding and production. While the exact allocation of rice assistance for the 58-day period is yet to be determined, he assured that any government support, including potential increases, would be delivered to the fishermen. Authorities have taken all necessary measures to ensure the successful enforcement of the blockade, and legal action will be taken against those who violate the government's directives.

"Patharghata Fisheries worker Hasibul Haque said, the government has imposed this ban to increase fish breeding and production. We have not received any allocation so far about how many kilograms of rice assistance the fishermen will receive in these 58 days. We will tell you when the allocation comes. Apart from this, if the government increases any other assistance, we will deliver it to the fishermen. We have taken all measures to make the blockade successful. Legal action will be taken against anyone who disobeys the government instructions," Haque stated.

The impending fishing ban casts a long shadow over the fishing communities of Barguna, highlighting their vulnerability and dependence on the sea for their livelihoods. The adequacy of government support during this period of unemployment will be crucial for the survival of thousands of families in the region.

END/MRR/RH/