The coastal waters of Barguna, once teeming with marine life, are now under siege. Unauthorised trawling boats equipped with micro-looped banned nets are ravaging the Bay of Bengal, threatening not just its fragile ecosystem but also the livelihoods of the communities that depend on it.Every day, these trawlers sweep through the coastal areas, hauling in fish indiscriminately, from fry to full-grown species. The result? An ecological crisis that jeopardizes marine biodiversity, disrupts natural fisheries, and derails the government’s ambitious plans to boost fish production.

A silent catastrophe beneath the waves 

Banned fishing nets are no ordinary tools; they are weapons of mass destruction in the marine world. Experts warn that these nets trap everything in their path—fish larvae, fry, and even aquatic plants vital for the ecosystem. By obliterating the food chain, they hinder fish reproduction and decimate entire populations.

The signs of devastation are everywhere. Species like catfish, butterflyfish, and coral fish have seen alarming population declines. Even hilsa, the national fish of Bangladesh, is harder to find. "The nets used by trawlers catch everything, including hilsa fry," laments Sarowar, a local fisherman. "We return empty-handed after days at sea. If this continues, hilsa might vanish from these waters altogether."

Numbers tell a grim tale

At the Patharghata Fish Landing Centre, the decline is evident. Fish landings dropped by nearly 200 tonnes in 2024 compared to the previous year, falling from 3,587.17 tonnes to 3,405.81 tonnes. With fewer fish reaching markets, prices have soared, impacting both consumers and fishermen.

Ironically, while revenue collection from fish sales increased by 13.5 per cent due to higher prices, the reality for fishermen is bleak. Many report being unable to recover even their basic operating costs. "Trawlers catch everything," says Miraj, a fisherman. "We’re left with nothing—no fish, no income, no hope."

Communities on the brink

For generations, the fishermen of Barguna have depended on the sea for their survival. But the rise of unauthorised trawlers has pushed them to the edge.

Jamal, another fisherman, paints a grim picture: "These banned nets are killing the sea. Ordinary fishermen like us are starving. If this doesn’t stop, our future is doomed."

On a recent visit to Patharghata, the once-bustling fishing community felt eerily quiet. Unauthorized trawlers were seen docked, their illegal catch being loaded onto trucks destined for markets across the country. In the background, workers hurried to dry fish for sale elsewhere, as local fishermen looked on helplessly.

Experts sound the alarm

According to Biplob Kumar Sarkar, a fisheries researcher and marketing officer at the Patharghata BFDC, the damage caused by these nets is profound. "Hand trawling, unlike deep-sea mechanical trawling, targets the coastal areas, destroying breeding grounds and aquatic plants. It’s short-term gain for long-term disaster," he explains.

District Fisheries Officer Md Mohsin acknowledges the gravity of the situation but admits that enforcement is a challenge. "We’re conducting regular campaigns against illegal fishing, but legal obstacles, including court writs from trawler owners, limit our ability to act effectively."

Deputy Director of Fisheries Department Dr Mohammad Motaleb Hossain offers a sliver of hope, stating that the government is prepared to re-impose a ban on these destructive practices once the writ period ends.

An urgent call for action

Barguna’s coastal waters stand at a crossroads. The unchecked use of banned nets is not just an environmental issue—it’s a socio-economic crisis. Left unaddressed, it could lead to a collapse of the region’s marine ecosystem, putting countless livelihoods at risk.

Fishermen like Sarowar and Miraj demand swift action to curb the trawlers’ activities. "We don’t want to see the sea empty," says Jamal. "The government must act before it’s too late."

The fate of the Bay of Bengal’s fisheries—and the communities that depend on them—hangs in the balance. The time to act is now.