Fishing in sea becomes risky

This results in death of many fishermen during natural calamities.

Fishermen have complained that trawler owners do not supply life jacket or buoy to them despite repeated reminders. Even many owners expressed their inability to distribute radio at a nominal price to know precautionary signals of weather. The Fisheries Department also do not take effective measures to mitigate sufferings of the fishermen.

Sources in Cox's Bazar Fisheries Department said there are about 7,000 small or big fishing trawlers in various places of the district. Of them, at least 5,000 trawlers lack life jacket or buoy. Most of the trawlers lack radios required for learning the weather forecast. Trawler owners are least bothered at the death of scores of fishermen in accidents.

Cox's Bazar Boat Owners' Association president Mujibur Rahman Chairman admitted to the fact saying many trawlers sunk in different places of the district in the recent storms in sea. Hundreds of fishermen died due to lack of life jacket or buoy, he said.

Mahmudul Huq Company of Tekpara echoed similar view.

Cox's Bazar District Fishing Boat Workers' Union president Abdul Quader said although boat owners invest lakhs of taka for boats and nets, but they are reluctant to give life saving jacket, buoy, fire extinguisher, radio and other necessary things. If the owners supplied it once, but they do not supply it for second time if it is damaged. As a result, trawlers remain unprotected.

Local office of Bangladesh Inter Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) realised fine from over 50 trawlers in the Fishery Ghat area here for lack of important documents and accessories. BIWTA sources acknowledged that most of the trawlers lack necessary accessories.

Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Aminul Islam said each trawler should keep life jacket or buoy for protection of fishermen's lives. Action will be taken against the defaulters, he said.