Working at the Alipur Fish Docks and Market – Bangladesh
Ibrahim and the salty, weathered Muslim men who work in his rural village of Alipur live a simple, harsh, yet spiritually connected life.
In the West, we have yet to appreciate how much sweat and tears go into catching and bringing fish to our markets.
One of Ibrahim’s jobs is unloading, sorting, counting and transporting fish baskets from the large wooden boats in his village of Alipur in the district of Patuakhali, Barishal Division in Bangladesh.
Clusters of sampan boats were docked up and down the shoreline, with many waiting to head out or returning from 3-10 days of fishing on the Bay of Bengali.
It’s incredible to see how skilled those fishermen are living and working on these boats in groups of as many as 20 men per vessel for days on end, extreme rain or shine, for a few dollars a day.
Sampan is a unique type of wooden boat. It has a fat bottom built on an easily curved keel line, with a sharp head called an anni that rises prominently.
A fully loaded basket can weigh as much as 45 kg (100 lbs). These agile workers walk a wobbly dock up the ramp to the fish processing area. And yet, they still find a way to smile and joke while working.
Rain or extreme heat, for as long as it takes to transport the Bay of Bengali catch and ‘head-balm’ their loads to the auctioneer ice packager, then back up to the boat again.
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Under these harsh conditions, my privileged Western body would not survive an hour’s work, let alone a day’s labour. By Canadian standards, it’s shocking how little they get paid for such sweaty, stinky manual work.
But then, what choice do they have? “In Bangladesh, the urban poor hold labour-demand jobs, thus affecting their health conditions. Therefore, they are in a difficult situation to escape poverty. [19]“
The Sector
The fisheries sector is a crucial source of livelihood for millions of people in Bangladesh, and this is markedly true in Ibrahim’s village of Alipur.
Fish is the primary protein source in the Bangladeshi diet, contributing about 60% of the total animal protein. Fishing provides significant employment opportunities and ensures a sustainable level of food security. (FRSS, 2017).
According to (FRSS, 2017), more than 18 million people in Bangladesh are directly or indirectly involved in this sector. Moreover, the industry is vital for women, with around 1.4 million depending on it for their livelihoods through fishing, farming, fish handling, and processing (BFTI, 2016). Given its significant contribution to employment and income generation, the fisheries sector has enormous potential for promoting economic development in the country. Source:
Hilsaha – Bangladesh National Fish
Did you know that Hilsa, Bangladesh’s national fish, has been declared a Geographical Indicator? This is a significant achievement for the country, as about 12% of its total fish production comes from Hilsa alone. Hilsa contributes most to the country’s overall fish production as a single species (Toufique, 2015). It’s truly a remarkable fish and a source of pride for Bangladesh.
Its soft, oily texture and mouthwatering taste make it a real treat. It’s no wonder it’s often referred to as the “queen of fishes” and even holds the title of national fish of Bangladesh and state fish of West Bengal. Source
Ibrahim captured this angle of a group of his dock mates and fishermen on a boat preparing a spontaneous fish lunch with puffed rice. Notice the low headroom, crowded living and sense of camaraderie.
The hull below is where they store their fresh catch. Imagine up to 20 of these guys living together for days per run in the harshest conditions.
It’s where they eat, sleep, and pray.
Bangladesh: Safety of Fishermen in the Bay of Bengal
Commercial marine fishing is considered one of the most hazardous occupations worldwide.
Over 1,350 fishermen die at sea each year in Bangladesh. The boats need essential safety equipment, including life buoys, life jackets, radios and compasses. Experts say many fishing boats are unregistered and generally have deplorable onboard conditions due to a lack of effective oversight. Source
Women
As the sole breadwinners for their families, I’ve noticed how women are among the most impoverished in rural areas. They face discrimination and have limited earning opportunities, often resulting in inadequate nutrition and begging.
In these videos, you can see women squatting along the docks or hovering over the fish sorters, waiting to pinch a fish or two to sell or feed their families.
There’s an elderly woman with a kidney disease who often huddles near Ibrahim, knowing he’ll advocate on her behalf and ask a fish owner to ‘gift’ her a piece or two for her family.
Have you had the chance to explore Alipur yet? It’s less widely known than other destinations like Kuakata Beach or Red Crab Char, but it’s worth visiting. One spot you will want to take advantage of is the Alipore Fish Market. They have such an incredible variety of fish, including small sharks and some species that don’t have names!
Compared to the high cost of fish in Canada, I was stunned at how (for me) inexpensive fish was. Ibrahim’s market specializes in a wide array of catches: crabs, rupachanda, karala, hilsa fish, and more.
There’s so much excellent raw content here!
I spent a few days capturing photos and shooting videos on my iPhone. I plan to compile a montage of the best clips using Final Cut Pro. But for now, enjoy the essence of a Bangladeshi fishing village.
I can’t wait to show you the video we captured on our Drone- a story for another time.
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