BSS

Like previous years, over 10,000 fishermen started drying fish in the Sundarbans from Monday in the dry season.

The fishermen dry huge quantity of fishes here after catching those from the Bay of Bengal and adjacent rivers of the Sundarbans, reports the BSS.

Around 85 species of fishes including Rupchada, Laitya, Chhuri, Khalisa and different kinds of shrimp are dried and processed in the Sundarbans.

The areas in the Sundarbans for dying fish are Dublarchar, Chapra Khalias, Alorkol, Meher Ali, Majhir Killa, Shewlar Char, Kokilmoni, Kaborkhali, Narkel Baria, Bara Amberia, Manik Khali and Chhoto Amberia.

“Before sunrise, we go out for netting the fishes, which are processed for drying in the sun,” said Mohammad Ali, a fisherman of Dublar Char.

“Thousands of fishermen from different areas of the southern region, including Satkhira, Khulna, Pirojpur, Barguna and Bagerhat build   makeshift houses here for drying and processing fishes,” said another fisherman Ruhul Amin.

“We will net and dry sea fishes till March 31 here. We found more fish during the new moon and full moon. This dried fishes will be sent to fish traders to different areas including Kuakata, Cox’sbazar and Chattogram,” he added.

Talking to BSS, President of fishermen group of Dublarchar Kamal Ahmed said fishermen couldn’t get opportunities during last few months for drying fishes here. They also became jobless as government imposed ban on Hilsa fishing. But they (fishermen) got VGF rice during the period.

He informed that the department of forest has given permission to set up at least 985 houses, 57 depot and 93 shops this year.

Md Khalilur Rahman, assistant conservator of forest of Sharankhola Range under East Sundarbans, said, “There are 13 centres for fish collection, processing and marketing in Dublar Char fish village, about 120 kilometres from Mongla by boat. Fishermen and fish depot owners go there for drying fish for preservation and sale,” he added.