<i>Pirates rule coasts as shoals of hilsha in water</i>

Huge hilsa being unloaded from a trawler at Patharghata fishing ghat in Barguna district, top, two sides of a 'safety token' that pirates issue after realising toll from a trawler.Photo: STAR

Hilsa fishes are being netted in plenty in Patuakhali and Barguna coasts for last four days but fishermen are afraid of going to the sea due to rampant piracy.
At least 35 fishing trawlers were looted and 30 fishermen abducted by pirates in last five says. The victim fishermen brought freedom after payment of ransom and returned to Kakata and Pathorghata coasts.
With arrival of boatloads of Hilsha, both fishermen and traders are busy; and fish landing stations and markets are abuzz.
Prices of the delicious fish have also come down in local markets.
said at least 300 trawlers from the area are busy netting Hilsa in the Bay.
Thirty to forty trawlers reach Mohipur daily with Hilsa. “We are getting Hilsa as per our expectation since Friday, said Fazlu Gazi, president of fishing trawlers owners association in Mohipur.
Five to ten truckloads of Hilsa leave Mohipur for Dhaka and bordering areas of Khuna, Jessore and Benapole with export consignments, said its secretary Nimai Chandra.
This correspondent while visiting Mohipur yesterday saw one mound (40 kgs) of big size Hilsa (over 1 kg apiece) was sold at Tk 10,500 to 12,000, which was Tk 14,000 to 14,500 a week back. Prices of Hilsa less then one kilogram was Tk 10,000 to 11,500 a maund, which was Tk 11,500 to 12,000 two days back.
In local markets, per kg Hilsa is sells at Tk 250 to 300, which was Tk 350 to 400 two days back.
Fishermen and traders said the prices would reduce further if piracy can be stopped.
On Saturday, six fishermen were kidnapped and 12 trawlers were looted in the deep sea, trawler owners said.
On September 19, about Tk one crore was looted in fishes, nets, fuel and cash from 12 trawlers. Ten fishermen were abducted and 13 injured in the attack on trawlers that included FB Sapan, FB Rakib and FB Mayer Doa.
On September 17 pirates kidnapped 14 fishermen from 10 fishing trawlers on the sea about 50 kilometres southeast of Pathorghata in Barguna coast. The looted trawlers included FB Janasi, FB Molla , FB Mohima and FB Kabir.
On September 14, a pirate was killed in a fight with Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-8) at Pathorghata under Barguna when the gang was preparing for piracy. Rab members recovered a revolver and a made pipe gun.
Piracy increased as lots of Hilsa are netted now, said Abdus Salam, president of trawler owners association in Mohipur.
The victim fishermen said pirate gangs have introduced 'token' for trawlers, which have to be collected after meeting their demands.
They showed a token in which name of the trawler is written on one side and signature of the issuing person on the other side.
When contacted, Maj. Habibur Rahmab of Rab-8 in Patuakhali, said, “We are trying our best to nab the pirates.
A Coast Guard official in Bhola told this correspondent over cell phone that a drive against pirates would be launched in the Bay soon. He however said they have shortage of vessels.