13 ice mills out of 42 in production
Monday, 11 June 2007
BARGUNA, June 10 (BSS): Catching of hilsha fish has been reduced to a great extent due to exorbitant price of ice during this hilsha season.
Fishermen of the district alleged the price of each can of ice has shot up to Taka 160 from the previous Taka 110 per can as 13 ice mills, out of the total 42, are on production now due to power disruption.
They said only 1,000 to 1,500 pieces of hilsa fishes are being caught per day at Patharkata, the biggest fish port, as most of the fishermen are facing ice scarcity. Similar situation is prevailing at Mohipur, Alipur and Kuakata fish ports.
President of the District Trawler Owners' Association Golam Mustafa said about 400 small and large trawlers were seen anchoring at the port until Saturday morning as hilsha fishes need ice immediately after catching.
Talking to BSS, general secretary of the Patharkata Ice Mill Owners' Association Shah Alam and chief manager of Kuakata Ice
Mill Syndicate Siddiqur Rahman said the crisis ensued as a huge number of motors and other machinery of 10 ice mills are out of order due to load shedding and low voltage.
Patuakhali Rural Electrification Samity source said only 4.0 to 5.0 MW power are being supplied to the region from the national grid against the demanded 10 megawatts (MW) per day.
Fishermen of the district alleged the price of each can of ice has shot up to Taka 160 from the previous Taka 110 per can as 13 ice mills, out of the total 42, are on production now due to power disruption.
They said only 1,000 to 1,500 pieces of hilsa fishes are being caught per day at Patharkata, the biggest fish port, as most of the fishermen are facing ice scarcity. Similar situation is prevailing at Mohipur, Alipur and Kuakata fish ports.
President of the District Trawler Owners' Association Golam Mustafa said about 400 small and large trawlers were seen anchoring at the port until Saturday morning as hilsha fishes need ice immediately after catching.
Talking to BSS, general secretary of the Patharkata Ice Mill Owners' Association Shah Alam and chief manager of Kuakata Ice
Mill Syndicate Siddiqur Rahman said the crisis ensued as a huge number of motors and other machinery of 10 ice mills are out of order due to load shedding and low voltage.
Patuakhali Rural Electrification Samity source said only 4.0 to 5.0 MW power are being supplied to the region from the national grid against the demanded 10 megawatts (MW) per day.