In many regions of Feni, floodwaters have receded. Fisheries, once brimming with fish, are now submerged. As the water recedes, silt fills the ponds, making recovery difficult. Photo: Noor Ullah Kaysar A
recent report from the Divisional Fisheries Office in Chattogram reveals that
floods across several districts in the division have submerged the majority of
fish farms, ponds, and lakes. In addition to substantial financial losses,
farmers fear a long-term crisis due to infrastructure damage. According to the
report, the fisheries sector in Chattogram has suffered losses of at least BDT
20 billion. However, hatchery owners claim the damage could be even greater.
The
Department of Fisheries of Chattogram Division reports that the estimated
losses across the division’s 11 districts amount to BDT 19.65 billion. A total
of 195,239 ponds and farms across 656 unions have been affected. Additionally,
103 enclosures covering 581 hectares, along with ponds and lakes spread across
39,581 hectares, have sustained damage. Approximately 107,293 tons of fish, 713
tons of shrimp, and 877 tons of fish fry from various projects have been lost.
Md.
Omar Faruq, Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries of Chattogram
Division, told Bonik Barta, “We have assessed the damages by collecting data
from field officers and farmers in affected areas. However, once the
floodwaters fully recede, we will prepare a final list. This region has never
experienced floods of this magnitude before. While heavy rainfall has caused
floods in the past, fish farmers have not faced such significant damage. We
have informed the ministry about the losses. Once the ministry provides further
instructions, we will assist the affected farmers accordingly.”
District-wise
statistics show that Noakhali’s fisheries sector was the hardest hit by the
floods. Around 85,379 ponds and farms were flooded, resulting in BDT 6.15
billion in losses. Additionally, 27,665 ponds, lakes, and farms in Cumilla were
affected, with 33,972 tons of fish, shrimp, and fry being lost. Infrastructure,
nets, and fish losses in Cumilla amount to BDT 5.25 billion. In Lakshmipur,
approximately 10,693 tons of fish were lost across 31,298 fish farms, leading
to BDT 2.40 billion in damages. In Chattogram, 16,864 ponds, lakes, and farms
lost 16,610 tons of fish, amounting to BDT 2.90 billion in losses. In Chandpur,
7,283 tons of fish were washed away from 11,721 ponds and lakes, resulting in BDT
1.78 billion in damages. In Feni, 18,760 ponds, lakes, and farms, covering
2,384.8 hectares, were affected, with 1,282 tons of fish and 115 tons of shrimp
being lost. The fisheries sector in Feni has incurred losses amounting to BDT
749.7 million. Other affected districts include Brahmanbaria (BDT 185.1
million), Cox’s Bazar (BDT 129.7 million), Rangamati (BDT 17.9 million), and
Khagrachari (BDT 65.4 million).
Delowar
Hossain, a farmer from Fulgazi Upazila in Feni, told Bonik Barta, “I used to
farm fish on around 200 kani of land. The way the floodwaters entered, no fish
remain in the enclosure. They’ve all washed away. I’ve lost at least BDT 10
million just in fish. The situation is the same for other farmers in the area.”
Md.
Motleb, a fish trader from the Muhuri Project area, said, “We had a large stock
of fish in our project. We had planned to sell them after the rainy season, but
the floodwaters destroyed everything. Our entire investment of BDT 3-4 million
has been wiped out. We are worried about how to recover from this loss.”
Hatchery
owners say that fish from the Muhuri Project, built over the Feni River in
Mirsharai and Feni, have been washed away. Those who jointly farmed fish in the
Muhuri Project have all suffered financially. Hundreds of ponds, enclosures,
and lakes across Noakhali, Lakshmipur, and Cumilla have also lost their fish.
During the floods, fish that were washed away were sold for as low as BDT
15-200 per kilogram. Although the Fisheries Department reported losses of BDT
20 billion, hatchery owners believe the figure is even higher.
Mohammad
Iqbal Hossain, a fisheries officer in Noakhali, told Bonik Barta, “The
fisheries sector in Noakhali has suffered more than BDT 6.15 billion in losses
due to sudden floods and heavy rainfall. Over 85 thousand ponds and enclosures,
along with other farms, have lost their fish. We saw these fish being sold at
very low prices during the floods. The farmers are facing significant losses,
and we are awaiting the ministry’s decision on how to assist them.”
