Fishermen and fish traders on the coast of Patuakhali are struggling after the rise in fuel prices. Incomes had already fallen because catches in the rivers and the sea were poor; higher fuel costs are now adding to their losses.

About 70,000 registered fishermen in the district live by fishing the rivers and the sea. A long shortage of fish has left many in the red, and this year hilsa has been scarce at the Mohipur and Alipur fish landing centres in particular.

Fishermen say fuel is one of the biggest costs of taking a trawler to sea. With diesel, kerosene, petrol and octane up Tk 20 a litre, every trip costs more, and often the catch does not even cover the fuel.

"I am drowning in debt, and the fuel price rise has made things harder still," said trawler skipper Ali. Fisherman Rustam said dearer fuel would also raise the cost of transport and storage, hurting the whole fisheries sector.

Fishermen want fuel prices brought down to a bearable level or a subsidy for fishers. Kalapara upazila senior fisheries officer Md Zahirunnabi said their demand had been passed on to higher authorities.

Reported by the Patuakhali correspondent of Agricare24.

Source: Agricare24