Chattogram:Long before dawn breaks, Chattogram's Fisheryghat bustles with activity as trawlers, boats, and mini-trucks arrive laden with fish. The unloading, bargaining, and auctions begin swiftly, and by daybreak, transactions worth Tk 100 crore have already taken place.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Fisheryghat spans 3.98 acres between the Chaktai and Rajakhali canals on the Karnaphuli River. It is one of the largest wholesale fish markets in the country, dealing in both sea-caught and farmed fish from across Bangladesh. Despite its commercial vibrancy, the market is overshadowed by the dadon (advance-loan) system. This system obliges boat owners and fishermen to sell their catch exclusively at depots that provide them with advance capital for fishing trips, thereby trapping them in a cycle of debt.
Even before daylight fully sets in, fish-laden trawlers are already docked, and the air is filled with the sounds of laborers and traders engaged in unloading and negotiating. The market is teeming with various fish species, including hilsa, pomfret, barramundi, and more. In addition to marine catch, small trucks deliver farmed fish such as rohu, catla, and tilapia from ponds across the nation.
The wharf is a hive of activity as workers handle ice to keep the fish fresh, reflecting the vital role of the ice trade in the local economy. The bustling scene attracts thousands of people, including retailers, wholesalers, and traders from across the country, to buy and transport fish to markets nationwide.
Fisheryghat's trade depends heavily on the dadon financial system, centered around 103 wholesale depots known as "godis." Anwar Hossain, former president of the Old Fisheryghat Traders' Association, explained that depot owners provide dadon to cover fishing costs, with the stipulation that the catch must be sold back to them. Mohammad Selim, a depot proprietor, noted that these advances exceed Tk 100 crore and are crucial to maintaining the fish supply at the market.