Despite the peak season, the Meghna River in Tajumuddin, Bhola, is not yielding the expected hilsa catch, leaving more than 5,000 fishers unemployed and over 300 boat owners frustrated. The report, published on August 16, said catches are so low that fishers cannot recover their boats’ fuel costs, making it difficult for them to support their households.

According to the upazila fisheries office, Tajumuddin has 19,500 registered fishers, including more than 7,000 directly involved in catching fish. Nearly 5,000 of them are currently without work. At Sluice Gate, Gurinda Bazar and Choumuhani landing points, traders and fishers were seen passing idle time at fish depots. Supplies of other fish have also fallen, prompting many people to close their businesses.

Teacher and fish trader Md Monir said he stopped sending his three boats out after low catches, despite investing about Tk 2 million in boats and nets. Upazila Fisheries Officer Md Amir Hossain said underwater sandbars are disrupting the normal movement of hilsa coming from the sea. He said higher authorities have given assurances about pursuing dredging to remove the sandbars.