The much-anticipated dried fish processing season of Dublar Char kicks off, an estimated 10,000 fishermen from coastal regions are converging in the area, renowned as ‘Shutki Polli’ or the Dried Fish village.
Dublar Char is an island in Bangladesh with an area of 66.5 km², located in the Bagerhat District of the Khulna Division. It’s a tourist destination inside the Sundarbans.
Year after year, thousands of fishermen and their hired workforce flock to this vibrant locale, driven by the mission to catch and process an array of seafish.
This season, the forest department has granted permission for the setup of 108 temporary houses and 78 depots, catering to the accommodation needs of fishermen and facilitating the preservation of dried fish. The Sundarbans will witness the deployment of 1500 trawlers, capturing and processing fish to be sun-dried.
Dublar Char is already bustling with activity as permits for fish harvesting have been issued. In the previous year, the government reaped BDT 60 million (US $545 thousand) in revenue from this bustling village. This year, an ambitious target of BDT 70 million (US $636 thousand) has been set.
Various fish species, including Loitta (Bombay duck), Faissa (mullet), Koral (Asian Sea Bass / Barramundi), Pomfret, Chhuri (Ribbonfish), Tuna and more, undergo processing at Dublar Char. The demand for dried fish from this region is particularly high, given the chemical preservative and pesticide free processing methods employed.
Rabiul Islam, a fisherman from Rampal Upazila, shares his experience of a busy day spent crafting makeshift houses with bamboo, polythene, and hogla (long dry grass used for sheds) upon arriving at Dublar Char.
Shahid Mallik, president of Matsyajibi Samity (a fishermen association), notes the influx of thousands of fishermen, some already present in the area while others venture into the sea for fishing expeditions.
Dilip Majumdar, the officer-in-charge of Alorkol camp, describes the industrious scene of fishermen constructing temporary shelters, a process taking two to three days for completion. Simultaneously, some fishermen engage in processing their catch under the open sky.
Rana Deb, assistant forest conservator of Sundarbans East zone, outlines that the dried fish processing season commenced on November 3 and will persist until March 31 next year. During this period, fishermen will reside in Alorkol, Majherkella, Narikelbaria, and Shelar Char for five months.
Sheikh Mahbub Hasan, assistant conservator of the Sundarbans Forests under Sharankhola Range, emphasizes the need for vigilance, ensuring that no one, masquerading as fishermen, commits crimes on Dublar Char. As the vibrant season unfolds, Dublar Char stands as a dynamic hub, embodying the rich tradition of dried fish processing and coastal camaraderie.
