200-Year-Old Fishery Ghat – The Nation’s Largest Fish Hub of Chittagong
Chittagong Fishery Ghat is the largest and oldest fish trading hub in Bangladesh, with a rich 200-year history. Every dawn, it comes alive as tons of fresh catch arrive from the sea for nationwide distribution.
200-Year-Old Fishery Ghat – The Nation’s Largest Fish Hub of Chittagong
The Karnaphuli Bridge connects the northern and southern parts of Chittagong city. Located to the west of the bridge and north of the Karnaphuli River is the famous Fishery Ghat of Chittagong.
Hundreds of fishing trawlers bring in fish from the Bay of Bengal to this Ghat. Alongside the ghat, the country’s largest wholesale fish market has developed. From the early hours of dawn, the area becomes lively with the hustle and bustle of fish trading.
Jetty Management
The courtyard in front of each auction yard fills up with baskets upon baskets of known and unknown varieties of fish. These are arranged in preparation for auction. Sea fish like tuna, red snapper (lal poa), climbing perch (koi), Koral, and large laksha fish are among the common varieties. Depending on size, these fish are sold at prices ranging from 650 to 900 taka per kilogram.
Fish traders sell these catches to wholesale buyers through an auction system. Behind this entire process is a structured jetty management system.
Chittagong Fishery Ghat has a total of four jetties. Among them, one is operated by the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC), while the remaining three are leased out by the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA). Each trawler has to pay a fee of 200 taka per trip and an additional 2% of the fish’s sale value to the CDA.
This well-managed jetty system ensures the uninterrupted operation of the Ghat.
Hilsa Fish
Among both sea and freshwater varieties, the wholesale trade of sea fish is more prominent. Depending on the season, Hilsa fish becomes available.
During the government-declared ban period, Hilsa is seen in very small quantities. Nearly 86% of the world’s total Hilsa catch comes from the coastal waters of Bangladesh. So, once the ban is lifted, Hilsa dominates almost every fish auction yard. At that time, finding other types of fish becomes quite difficult.
Varieties Collection of Fish
Its tiger-like appearance gives it the name Bagha Shark (Tiger Shark). Surprisingly, even those sharks that are known to attack humans can be found at this fishery Ghat. Giant prawns like Golda, Horina, and Bagda are brought here from the southwestern regions of the country, as well as from India and Myanmar.
The Bay of Bengal is home to around 442 species of fish, among which fishermen are able to catch about 50 species. Out of these, around 20 species are bought and sold here daily. Sea tuna, pangasius, and Coral are among the most commonly seen.
The scales, fat, and fins of Coral are used as valuable raw materials in the production of medicine, which is why this fish commands a high price.
Life in the Heart of the Sea
Here comes Sabur Mia, returning to the Fishery Ghat after 8 days of fishing. A single trawler requires around 30 to 35 people, including fishermen, a captain, and a cook, to go fishing. They travel 100 to 120 kilometers deep into the sea from the shore to catch fish.
Each trawler is equipped with 2 to 3 storage reservoirs for preserving fish. “Each trawler has a capacity of 150 to 200 tons. With arrangements for living, food, snacks, repairs, and fuel, a team of 35 people heads into the sea for 8 to 10 days. Each trip costs the trawler owner around 400,000 Taka. If the weather turns bad, we have to stop fishing,”
— says Sabur Mia in one breath. Sabur Mia has been working in the fishing trade for about 13 years. For each trip, he earns an honorarium of around 15,000 Taka.
Supply Chain and Turnover
After traveling 120 to 150 kilometers, trawlers arrive at this ancient fish auction hub with their catch. From dawn until 8 AM, the buying and selling of fish takes place daily.
According to auctioneers, sea fish from this market are supplied every day to top hotels in Dhaka and Chittagong, including The Westin, Radisson, and Sonargaon.
There are around 220 auction shops or “GADI” at the Chittagong Fishery Ghat. On average, fish worth 500 million to 5 billion taka is traded here daily.
Fish caught by around 10,000 fishing boats and several hundred trawlers in Chittagong are sold here. Many traders also export these fish abroad. Even retailers collect fish from this Ghat to deliver fresh sea fish to consumers.
Retail Fish Seller
Abul Hashem Mia is a retail fish seller. He came all the way from Bariahat and bought fish worth 30,000 Taka, including Chhuri (Ribbon fish), Faisa, Loitta (Bombay duck), shrimp, and Chapila.
When asked how often he visits, he replied,
“All the fish I buy sells out the same day. Since it’s sea fish, the demand is high.”
On average, he buys fish worth 40,000 to 70,000 Taka daily and sells them in the local market as a retailer.
Conclusions
Around this market, ice factories and cold storages have developed. There are also several food hotels nearby. The livelihood of around fifty thousand people is connected to this market.
Before dawn, buyers begin to arrive at the Fishery Ghat. As soon as the fish-laden trawlers dock, some even climb aboard to grab their favorite large fish—regardless of the price. Then, under the soft morning light, they return with smiling faces and baskets full of fresh fish.
