Mirsarai fish farms suffer catastrophic losses

Kamrul Islam, a prominent fish farmer in the Muhuri project area of Mirsarai upazila, Chattogram, had been preparing to sell a variety of fish species from his 80-acre farm in just a month. However, the recent devastating floods have dashed his hopes, sweeping away all the fish from his project.

The floodwaters have resulted in a catastrophic loss for Kamrul, who had invested over Tk6 crore, with the fish valued at approximately Tk9 crore. Kamrul is now left reeling from the loss of his capital.

Unfortunately, Kamrul's plight is not unique. The Feni River overflowed, inundating more than 500 fisheries projects spread across roughly 6,000 acres in the Osmanpur and Ichakhali areas near the Bay of Bengal. The floodwaters carried away all the fish from these projects.

Nasim Al Mahmud, fisheries officer of Mirsarai Upazila, told TBS that the region hosts about 8,000 acres of fish projects, with around 6,000 acres concentrated in Ichakhali and Osmanpur unions. These areas have been severely affected, with fish from the projects being washed away into the Feni River and the Bay of Bengal, he said.

The financial loss to the fish farmers is estimated to exceed Tk600 crore, said Mahmud.

The affected fish farmers say they are devastated, as they had never before experienced such a sudden disaster. Many lamented that if there had been an early warning of the impending floods, they might have taken preventive measures. Instead, they could do nothing but watch helplessly as the floodwaters swept away their livelihoods.

Abdullah Al Mamun, Kamrul's brother, owns a 17-acre fish project in the same area. His project was also close to being market-ready, but the floods destroyed his stock, resulting in a loss of Tk2.5 crore. Mamun expressed his despair, saying, "I have lost everything. I don't know how to start over."

According to the Mirsarai Upazila Fisheries Office, the fisheries projects in the Muhuri area produce approximately 50,000 tonnes of fish annually. Each day, 70 to 80 tonnes of fish are supplied to markets across the country, generating around Tk1,000 crore in annual sales. The fish produced in this area not only meets the needs of Mirsarai upazila but also supplies 70% of Chattogram's fish demand.

The Muhuri area is known for cultivating various fish species, including pangas, carp, tilapia, gulsha, pabda, shing, and koi. This industry directly and indirectly employs about 12,000 workers, including labourers and transport workers. With the destruction of the fisheries projects, their jobs are now at risk.

A visit to the damaged areas of Osmanpur and Ichakhali unions yesterday, this correspondent found damaged banks and workers struggling to repair them. Although some projects were being restored, the fish were not returning to the nets.

Workers from the fish projects expressed their shock at the situation. This is usually a time when they are busy caring for, selling, and supplying fish. Now, many of them are jobless, having never imagined such a sudden and drastic change.

The Muhuri fish project was developed following the construction of a 50km embankment by the government in 1984, aimed at protecting the coastal area of the Mirsarai-Sonagazi section of the Feni River from natural disasters like floods. This led to the creation of thousands of acres of grasslands on both sides of the embankment, which were then used for fish farming.

Fishing frenzy for some

However, the flood has led to an unintended consequence — a fishing frenzy. The Feni River, now brimming with fish from the Muhuri project, has become a hotspot for locals. Hundreds of people from Mirsarai, Sonagazi, and even distant upazilas of Feni sadar, Noakhali, and Chittagong have gathered to catch fish from the river. Many are selling their catch in the sluice gate area.

Yesterday morning, the banks of the Feni River near the Sluice Gate area were seen crowded with people fishing, turning the disaster into an unexpected fish festival.