Fishing has been suspended in the Bay of Bengal since April 15 for a 58-day conservation period, set to end on June 11.
Before that period concluded, authorities imposed a separate three-month ban on fishing in the Sundarbans from June 1, further intensifying the crisis for coastal communities.
As a result, many fishers who depend on the sea and the Sundarbans are now living in distress. With no alternative income sources, they say it has become increasingly difficult to support their families.
While some sea-going fishermen have received food assistance, those reliant on the Sundarbans have yet to be included. Several have submitted appeals to the authorities for aid.
“We can’t go to sea, and we’re barred from fishing in the Sundarbans rivers too. We have no other work. Life has become unbearable,” said Sanjay Biswas, a fisher from Malopara in Hitalpur, Paikgachha.
Ananda Biswas and Mahadev Biswas, also from Malopara, said they respect the ban but believe local river fishing should be allowed. They added that although sea fishers were allocated 56 kg of rice, many received only 54kg.
He said it was not enough for a family of five for nearly two months as they also need vegetables and other groceries.
Fishers in Koyra shared similar concerns. “We live hand to mouth. These three months will be extremely difficult. We need either support or alternative employment,” said Shafiqul Islam of Pathorkhali.
NGO AOSED Executive Director Shamim Arefin said: “Sea-going fishermen risk their lives at sea and play a vital role in ensuring protein supply and contributing to the blue economy. Their social and financial protection must be prioritized.”
Sundarbans West Forest Division official AZM Hasanur Rahman said some support is being provided to sea-going fishers. A proposal to provide 40 kg of rice to forest-dependent communities has been sent to the relevant authorities, he added.
According to the Khulna District Fisheries Office, the district has around 46,000 registered fishers across nine upazilas. Of them, about 32,000 are engaged in deep-sea fishing. The rest operate in coastal areas including Koyra (13,000), Paikgachha (5,000), Dakop (3,000), and Dumuria (5,500).
Khulna District Fisheries Officer Md Badruzzaman said sea fishers are receiving assistance, while the Forest Department has raised the need for support for Sundarbans-dependent fishers. “We’ve informed the higher authorities and are taking the matter seriously.”
Khulna Divisional Fisheries Officer Md Jahangir Hossain said: “Aid for sea fishers is ongoing, but Sundarbans fishers fall under the Forest Department. Any food assistance for them must come through the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.”
