Dwindling catches threaten livelihoods of Jamalpur fishermen

A growing number of fishermen in Gutail village on the banks of the Jamuna River in Islampur upazila of Jamalpur are abandoning their ancestral profession as declining fish stocks make it increasingly difficult to support their families.
Gutail, located in Chinaduli union, is home to around 80 families, most of whom have traditionally depended on fishing and selling their catch in local markets. However, declining water levels, climate change and dwindling fish stocks have threatened their livelihoods.
Several fishermen, including Mohan Chandra Das, Pulak Das and Ramani Das, have given up fishing and started driving easy-bikes to earn a living. Many others are also considering switching professions.
Navin Chandra Das, 56, a fisherman from Gutail Piling Par, said fish catches had declined sharply, leaving many families struggling to meet their basic needs. “Fish are scarce in the rivers, and our nets often remain empty. We can no longer support our families through fishing, forcing many of us to seek other work,” he said.
Apan Chandra Das, 36, of Fakirpara on the Brahmaputra riverbank, said fishing had long been closely tied to his life, but the income was no longer sufficient to support his family. “We have a deep connection with fishing, but we are now forced to look for other ways to earn a living,” he said.
Islampur upazila has around 180 fishing villages along six rivers and water bodies, including the Jamuna, Brahmaputra, Dashani and Holhalia Beel. About 2,610 families live in these communities. The ongoing 22-day ban on hilsa fishing, which began on 8 October and will continue until 29 October, has added to the financial pressure on fishing families.
Fishermen said the government’s food assistance during the ban was insufficient. Each eligible family receives 25kg of rice annually during the restriction period, they said, calling for increased assistance and vocational training to help them find alternative livelihoods.
Islampur Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Ashraful Islam Real said the number of professional fishermen was declining. He attributed the decline in fish stocks partly to the catching of fish fry using current nets, adding that the department was raising awareness among fishermen and distributing government assistance as it became available.