More than 10,000 fishermen began drying fish in the Sundarbans today (November 4), as they do every year during the dry season in this region.

Fishermen dry huge quantities of fish after catching those from the Bay of Bengal and adjoining rivers of the Sundarbans.

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

The areas in Sundarbans where fish are dying 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 to net to catch the fish, which are then dried in the sun,” said Mohammad Ali, a fisherman from Dublar Char.

“Thousands of fishermen from different parts of the south, including Satkhira, Khulna, Pirojpur, Barguna and Bagerhat, are building makeshift houses here to dry and process fish,” said another fisherman, Ruhul Amin.

He said: “We will fish and dry sea fish here until March 31. We found more fish during new moon and full moon. These dried fish will be sent to fish traders in different areas including Kuakata, Cox’sbazar and Chattogram.”

Speaking to BSS, Chairman of Dublarchar Fishermen’s Group Kamal Ahmed said that fishermen did not get a chance in the last few months to dry fish here. They also found themselves unemployed when the government imposed a ban on fishing in Hilsa. But they (fishermen) got VGF rice during this period.

He informed that the forest department has given permission to establish at least 985 houses, 57 depots and 93 shops this year.

Md Khalilur Rahman, deputy conservator of forest of Sharankhola range in Eastern Sundarbans, said, “There are 13 fish collection, processing and marketing centers in Dublar Char village, about 120 kilometers from Mongla by boat. the owners go there to dry the fish in order to preserve and sell them,” he added.