Between sky and sea: The thrilling life afloat on a fishing ship
Fishing ships in Bangladesh are mainly of two types: “Bangla Ships” (general-purpose fish trawlers) and “Chingri Ships” – which mostly catch shrimps
Days spent adrift in the vast ocean, amid rolling waves and roaring winds – this is the life for many deep-sea fishermen. Cut off from the routines of land, they cast massive nets into the water and ride the swaying decks of ships, surrounded by the endless blue of sky and sea.
While some grow weary of this isolated and repetitive existence, for others, it becomes a thrilling, almost addictive way of life.
One such man is Shahid Sardar from Bhola's Lalmohan. At 36, he works as the chief cook aboard the FV Sea Power 2, one of five fishing ships operated by Sea Power Fishing Limited. Despite his role in the kitchen, Shahid prefers to call himself a fisherman.
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"Some people get tired of seeing the same sky and water every day," Shahid admits. "They eventually return to life on land. But I don't mind it at all. To me, the sea is a source of peace. Life here is free of complications. And the colours of the fish – so vivid and beautiful – it's a feast for the eyes."
Voyage on a 'Bangla Ship'
Shahid Sardar says he was just a student in eighth grade when he ran away from home after a quarrel and ended up in Dhaka. There, he started working as an assistant cook at the doctors' canteen of PG Hospital.
In 2012, Shahid transitioned to an entirely different life when his brother-in-law helped him get a job on a fishing ship and eventually moved to Chattogram.
He said two types of vessels are used for fishing in the deep sea: fishing boats and fishing ships. The latter are far more advanced and equipped for long-haul operations. A typical fishing ship includes a deck, fish hold, bridge room, cabin rooms, kitchen, and dining area. Onboard technology features GPS, echo sounders, and sonar systems to locate fish efficiently.
Fishing ships in Bangladesh are mainly of two types: "Bangla Ships" (general-purpose fish trawlers) and "Chingri Ships" – which mostly catch shrimps.
"I work on a "Bangla Ship". The nets used on these ships range from 120 to 180 metres long and 20 to 30 metres wide. Each kilogram of net costs between Tk1,000 and Tk3,000, with a full set priced anywhere from Tk10 lakh to Tk30 lakh."
The ships typically fish at depths of 70 to 80 meters, though they can go as deep as 100 metres, categorising them as mid-water trawlers.
These ships are usually granted one-month fishing permits for each sea voyage.
"Once we cross Kutubdia, we're practically cut off from the rest of the world," Shahid says. "There's no phone network. Before we set off, I load up memory cards with photos, TV shows, and songs – those become our entertainment. But honestly, the workload is so intense that there's rarely time to relax."
Despite being far out at sea, the crew stays in contact with land through a high-frequency radio system. Each day, they send a catch report – detailing how much fish has been caught – to the company's office in Chattogram. The same system is used by the office to relay urgent weather alerts and operational instructions back to the vessel.
On Shahid's ship, there are 45 crew members, including 8 officers. The rest are general sailors. Among the general crew are a cook (Shahid himself) and a diver.
The fishermen – those at the heart of the operation – are responsible for casting and hauling in the nets, sorting the catch, packing, and freezing the fish for storage.
Swatch of No Ground
Bangladesh's maritime territory hosts four major fishing grounds – Middle Ground, South Patches, South of South Patches, and the Swatch of No Ground.
In addition to these, fishermen often refer to two informal zones – Elephant and Kohinoor – for convenience and navigation.
Among these, the Swatch of No Ground stands out as the most unique and ecologically significant. Spanning 5 to 7 kilometres in width and stretching up to 3,000 kilometres in length, this deep trench lies at the edge of the continental shelf.
At its deepest, it plunges nearly 1,200 meters, making it the 11th deepest submarine canyon in the world. It lies only 30 kilometers from Dublar Char in the Sundarbans.
Shahid Sardar says he has been to Swatch many times. "I've seen groups of dolphins on several occasions, and I've spotted whales four or five times too."
Life on the deep sea
Shahid describes life on the open sea as a relentless routine. Once a voyage begins, the ship doesn't stop – not for a single moment. It operates 24/7, with fishing continuing day and night. Each cycle of casting and hauling the net takes 4 to 5 hours, during which the crew snatches some rest or leisure time.
When the catch is heavy, work stretches well past afternoon into the evening, yet the labour doesn't pause. While the company doesn't set a formal quota, an unofficial target of catching fish worth around Tk2 crore per voyage is widely understood among the crew.
Bangladesh's maritime territory is home to more than 400 species of fish, offering a wide variety for both local and international markets. Among the familiar names are chanda, poa, boro moch kata, red snapper, baim, aila, chapila, faisa, coral, chhuri, loitya, tuna, salmon and black pomfret.
One notable species found in Bangladeshi waters is the hamour – a fish especially prized in Middle Eastern countries, where it holds a distinctive culinary and market value.
Shahid says crew members receive performance-based incentives, earning Tk 10 to 20 per ton of fish on top of their base wages.
Food allowances are modest: ordinary sailors receive Tk100 per day, while officers get Tk200. Each group has its own mess and kitchen.
Before departure, Shahid and his team stock up on essentials – meat, rice, lentils, oil, spices, and vegetables – from the mainland. "Fridays are special, featuring upgraded meals like polao, chicken roast, and fried chanda fish."
"When we catch a lot of premium fish, we get to enjoy it ourselves too," says Shahid. "That's when we indulge in hilsa or tiger prawns."
Sharing the sea life on Facebook
Shahid's deep-sea adventures have not gone unnoticed. He shares photos and videos of his life at sea on two Facebook pages – BD Fisherman and Fisherman Shahid – both of which have nearly 3 lakh followers.
His content showcases everything from fish hauls to sunsets on the water, captivating viewers with a glimpse into a life far removed from the mainland.
"When viewers watch and leave positive comments, it makes me really happy," he says. "It feels good to share this life with others."
When asked how much time off he gets each year and how he spends it, Shahid replied with a smile, "We don't get much leave. During the fishing ban season, we get around 12 to 15 days off."
"That's when I go back to my village. I cook kacchi biryani with mutton, enjoy freshwater fish, and eat lots of greens and vegetables," he added.
