Fishermen are losing interest in fishing due to the spread of jellyfish in the fishing areas along the southern Patharghta and Kuakata coasts, located under Barguna and Patuakhali in the Bay of Bengal. erts say that the jellyfish floating along the coast are known as white jellyfish, with their scientific name being Phyllorhiza Punctata. This species is non-poisonous. However, it can cause itching. Incapable of swimming, jellyfish become stranded on the coast or beaches due to wind currents or tides.
If this persists, fishermen in the southern region may be compelled to cease fishing in the Bay, putting the fishing sector’s economy at risk. Didar Uddin Ahmed Masum, president of the Mahipur Fisheries and Fisheries Cooperative Association, mentioned that very few fishermen have been venturing into the sea due to the jellyfish. Many fishing nets are destroyed due to the adhesive substance of the jellyfish, forcing fishermen to cut them loose.
Mir Mohammad Ali, chairman of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University’s Aquaculture Department, said: “Despite jellyfish being perceived as inedible or unusable marine creatures in our country, they represent a market of 5.60 billion dollars worldwide.” The primary use of jellyfish is as food, it being a popular delicacy in China, Japan, and Korea. Additionally, jellyfish can be utilized in various other ways, such as making fertilizers, pesticides, medicines, cosmetics, and diapers.
Nityananda Howladar, a teacher at Kuakata Bangabandhu Secondary School, expressed concern that if the scattered jellyfish on the seashore are not promptly removed, they will decompose, emitting a foul odor, risking environmental damage, and deterring tourists.
Fishermen from the Patharghata coast and Kuakata coast reported encountering jellyfish while fishing in the deep sea. They noted a significant increase in jellyfish caught in nets recently, which proves troublesome due to their soft and delicate nature, making them challenging to remove from the nets.
There have been no reports of anyone in Bangladesh consuming jellyfish yet. Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of the Barguna District Fishing Trawler Owners Association, mentioned that numerous jellyfish are floating in the sea, causing them to become entangled in fishing nets, thus discouraging fishermen from their trade. Jayanto Kumar Apu, senior fisheries officer of Patharghata Upazila, said the incident of jellyfish has been noted. He believes these jellyfish may have emerged due to salinity and prolonged absence of rain.
Kamrul Islam, district fisheries officer of Patuakhali, said that jellyfish are invertebrate aquatic animals, and they are not classified as fish. Cyphozoan species of jellyfish can be found in all oceans, with varying lifespans and sizes. Sagarika Smriti, an associate researcher with World Fish in Patuakhali district, said that jellyfish are a primary food source for sea turtles. The decline in turtle populations may be contributing to the proliferation of jellyfish. Additionally, factors such as temperature changes and environmental pollution may also be contributing to the increase in jellyfish numbers.
Shafiqul Islam Khokon, a journalist and coastal researcher, emphasized the abundance of natural resources in the sea and along the coast, which are essential for the benefit of various animals. He suggested that there is a need for research on jellyfish in Bangladesh, considering their significant impact on coastal ecosystems.