Dry fish season begins at Dublar Char in the Sundarbans

The annual dry fish season began on Friday, 30 October, at Dublar Char in the Sundarbans, along the Bay of Bengal, drawing fishermen from across the southwestern coastal districts.

After obtaining permits from the Forest Department, fishermen from different parts of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat began their journey to the sea shortly after midnight on Thursday.

Over the past two to three days, fishermen from various regions had gathered at Mongla in Bagerhat, Dacope in Khulna and Munshiganj in Shyamnagar, Satkhira, loading their trawlers with essential equipment and making preparations for the five-month season.

Every year, more than 10,000 fishermen from Khulna, Satkhira, Barishal, Bagerhat, Cox’s Bazar and other parts of the country settle temporarily on four islands in the area to catch fish and produce dried fish. Traders, known locally as mahajans, later distribute the products to markets across the country, including Khulna, Saidpur, Rangpur, Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. Some of the produce is also exported abroad.

The Forest Department said the five-month dry fish season would run from 30 October until the end of March next year, as in previous years.

During this period, fishermen will stay at Alorkol, Officekella, Narkelbaria and Shelar Char, four locations within Dublar Char. The Forest Department has permitted the construction of 900 temporary shelters for fishermen and approved 100 shops selling essential goods and services, including groceries, fuel, medicines, hairdressing services and food. It has also authorised 100 depots for buying and selling fish.

Nearly 10,000 fishermen and traders are expected to gather on the islands during the season. They will build temporary shelters, fish-drying yards and jetties and landing points for loading and unloading catches from trawlers.

However, fishermen are strictly prohibited from cutting or using any species of trees or vegetation from the Sundarbans for construction. The Forest Department warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the restrictions or damaging the forest. To comply with the rules, fishermen are carrying the necessary timber and other construction materials with them to build their shelters and other facilities.

Fishermen who arrived in Mongla and Munshiganj ahead of their journey to Dublar Char said the season coincided with a period of storms and tidal surges, making their work particularly hazardous.

“This is the time of year when storms and tidal surges are common. They severely disrupt fishing and the drying of fish. Sometimes our trawlers sink in storms, while rain causes fish left on the islands to rot. We suffer enormous losses. We have to struggle against storms and tidal surges simply to make a living,” they said.

They added that, as cutting or using trees from the forest was prohibited, they were carrying bamboo, fencing materials and other supplies needed to build shelters and drying yards, as well as equipment for fishing and catching crabs.

“We will not cause any damage to the forest,” they said.

For the first time, a floating hospital operated by Friendship will be stationed at Dublar Char to provide healthcare to fishermen during the season. A speedboat will also be available to transport patients to and from medical facilities when necessary.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam said the floating hospital had been arranged for the first time with the health and safety of fishermen in mind.

“Friendship will provide medical services there throughout the five-month season,” he said.