The shrimp industry in Khulna has suffered a staggering loss of Tk323.65 crore due to Cyclone Remal.
This blow is expected to slash shrimp production by half this year, with potentially hampering exports. Shrimp farming is mainly done in three districts of the southwest part of the division. According to the Department of Fisheries, a total of 9,115 enclosures in Khulna, 27,500 in Bagerhat and 3,900 in Satkhira have been submerged due to the cyclone.
The initial loss is estimated at Tk332 crore. Khulna Divisional Fisheries Officer Md Jahangir Alam said Cyclone Remal ravaged 53,171 ponds, enclosures, and crab farms across 81 unions in Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira. The affected area spans 35,555 hectares, resulting in a total loss of Tk722.17 crore.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, some 125,000 tons of shrimp were produced in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira. The country earned Tk2,412 crore from exporting shrimp. Visiting several areas in Khulna, it was seen hundreds of fishermen were trying to fish but were returning empty-handed.
Aminur Sardar, a fish enclosure trader of the Soladana area of Paikgasa upazila, said he had shrimp fish worth Tk12-15 lakh in his enclosure, which Cyclone Remal swept away. Golam Kibria Ripon, general secretary of Khulna Divisional Fry Traders Association said shrimp farmers are more affected by the Cyclone Remal. Some 80% of the region’s enclosures have been washed away. The cyclonic storm Remal, which made landfall in Bangladesh’s coastal area on Monday, has so far claimed 10 lives.
Additionally, 150,457 houses were damaged during the storm, with 35,483 houses fully damaged in 107 unions and 914 municipalities. Nineteen districts have been affected, including Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Bhola, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Narail, Gopalganj, Shariatpur, and Jessore.