Cox’s Bazar . Uplanders’ Watery Struggle by Saad Shahriar In Cox's Bazar and its surrounding islands like Sonadia, Kutubdia and Maheshkhali, the fishing industry is a profitable business. For many local islanders, it is their main profession. Others are equally attracted to this trade, leading to a steady trickle of migrant workers from adjoining areas. Just before dawn, the sun is yet to peek. The shadowy figures of some fishermen and some fishing boats emerge. All around there is din and bustle; sensible is the iron spirit of some hectic fishermen. These boats crowd to the shore often after being off shore for several days. Thousands of fishermen survive solely on these boats. These fishermen weave an epic of distress and sorrow floating in the indifferent tide and ebb of sea with their bitter sweat and saline waters. They battle with reoccurring cyclones, international piracy, and fluctuating socioeconomics - all unmatched nemeses. And yet, morning after morning, they return home to the sea. ‘Kutubdia Para’ where more than 7000 people live. During the winter 20-50 boats come to the shore every day. Small boats come to the shore daily and the big boats come in once a week. According to Mr. Saiful Islam (a fisherman) this place is a whole sale market of dry fish and the people of this area live their lives as a fishermen or in the fishing business.  Fishing boats come to the shore to unload the different types of fish such as Laitta, Hilsha, Prawn, Chhuri etc. A worker unloads prawns. People drying fish in the sunlight. Chhuri dry fish. Everyday Johra Begum (45) works to dry the fish. She lives in Kutubdia Para. Her husband is a fisherman. During the evening time, fishing boats drop anchor.  The fishermen clean their boats and prepare for the following day’s fish. Fishing nets are cast on the sea. Fishermen cast their fishing nets during high tide. In Sonar Para, during the monsoon 20-50 boats come to the shore every day. Fish distributors come to the shore and waiting for the boats. After the boats arrive they collect the fish and distribute them to different parts of the city. A fisherman anchoring the boats to the shore. Shaking the fishing net to bring out the fishes. People gather to collect the fish from shore in Sonar Para. A fisherman taking care of his fishing net in Ukhia. Fishing boats come down to the Rejukhaal Bridge to distribute their fish. This is very small wholesale market. Fishery Ghaat, is the largest place to distribute fish in Cox's Bazar. Everyday buyers and distributors wait for the boats to come to the shore. Here one can buy more than 35 types of fish. Some days the fishermen catch huge sharks from the sea. In Cox's Bazar thousands of people work in the fishing industry.  Many people migrate from neighbouring islands. Please note:   Life Force magazine is greatly supported by you looking at our advertising which is free to view.