Working at the Alipur Fish Docks: Inside Bangladesh’s Traditional Fishing Community

Ibrahim and the salty, weathered Muslim men who work in his rural village of Alipur live a simple, harsh, yet spiritually connected life.

One of Ibrahim’s jobs is unloading, sorting, counting and transporting fish baskets from the large wooden boats in his village.

Clusters of traditional sampan boats were docked up and down the shoreline, with many waiting to head out or returning from 3-10 days of fishing on the Bay of Bengal.

The Reality of the Fish Docks

It’s incredible to see how skilled those fishermen are living and working on these boats in groups of as many as 20 men per vessel for days on end, extreme rain or shine, for a few dollars a day.

A fully loaded basket can weigh as much as 45 kg (100lbs). These agile workers walk a wobbly dock up the ramp to the fish processing area. And yet, they still find a way to smile and joke while working.

Rain or extreme heat, for as long as it takes to transport the Bay of Bengal catch and ‘head-balm’ their loads to the auctioneer ice packager, then back up to the boat again.

Under these harsh conditions, my privileged Western body would not survive an hour’s work, let alone a day’s labour.

But then, what choice do they have? “In Bangladesh, the urban poor hold labour-demand jobs, thus affecting their health conditions. Therefore, they are in a difficult situation to escape poverty.”

Ibrahim and the weathered Muslim fishermen of Alipur village live a simple, harsh, yet spiritually connected life working the fish docks of Patuakhali District in Bangladesh’s Barishal Division.

In the West, we have yet to appreciate how much sweat and tears go into catching and bringing fish to our markets.

A Day in the Life of Bangladesh’s Dock Workers

One of Ibrahim’s jobs is unloading, sorting, counting and transporting fish baskets from the large wooden boats in his rural village of Alipur in the district of Patuakhali, Barishal Division in Bangladesh.

Clusters of traditional sampan boats line the shoreline—some preparing to depart, others returning from 3-10 days of fishing on the Bay of Bengal.

It’s incredible to see how skilled these fishermen are living and working on these boats in groups of as many as 20 men per vessel for days on end, extreme rain or shine, for a few dollars a day.

Traditional Sampan Boats: Bangladesh’s Fishing Vessels

Sampan is a unique type of wooden boat with a fat bottom built on an easily curved keel line, with a sharp head called an anni that rises prominently.

A fully loaded fish basket can weigh as much as 45 kg (100 lbs). These agile workers balance their loads on their heads, walking wobbly docks up the ramp to the fish processing area. And yet, they still find a way to smile and joke while working.

Rain or extreme heat, for as long as it takes to transport the Bay of Bengal catch and ‘head-balm’ their loads to the auctioneer ice packager, then back up to the boat again.

B-Roll Ibrahim Sorting Fish, Alipur Fish Dock Bangladesh

B-Roll Ibrahim Carrying Fish on Head Alipur Fish Dock Bangladesh
Under these harsh conditions, my privileged Western body would not survive an hour’s work, let alone a day’s labour. By Canadian standards, it’s shocking how little they get paid for such sweaty, stinky manual work.

But then, what choice do they have? “In Bangladesh, the urban poor hold labour-demand jobs, thus affecting their health conditions. Therefore, they are in a difficult situation to escape poverty. [19]”

Bangladesh’s Fisheries Sector: Economic Backbone of Coastal Communities

The fisheries sector is a crucial source of livelihood for millions of people in Bangladesh, and this is markedly true in Ibrahim’s village of Alipur.

Fish is the primary protein source in the Bangladeshi diet, contributing about 60% of the total animal protein. Fishing provides significant employment opportunities and ensures a sustainable level of food security. (FRSS, 2017).

According to (FRSS, 2017), more than 18 million people in Bangladesh are directly or indirectly involved in this sector. Moreover, the industry is vital for women, with around 1.4 million depending on it for their livelihoods through fishing, farming, fish handling, and processing (BFTI, 2016). Given its significant contribution to employment and income generation, the fisheries sector has enormous potential for promoting economic development in the country. Source:

Hilsa Fish: Bangladesh’s National Treasure

Did you know that Hilsa, Bangladesh’s national fish, has been declared a Geographical Indicator? This is a significant achievement for the country, as about 12% of its total fish production comes from Hilsa alone. Hilsa contributes most to the country’s overall fish production as a single species (Toufique, 2015). It’s truly a remarkable fish and a source of pride for Bangladesh.

Its soft, oily texture and mouthwatering taste make it a real treat. It’s no wonder it’s often referred to as the “queen of fishes” and even holds the title of national fish of Bangladesh and state fish of West Bengal. Source

B-Roll Working the Scales, Alipur Fish Dock Bangladesh

B-Roll Men Carrying, Sorting Fish on Their Heads, Alipur Fish Dock Bangladesh

Documentary Photography and Video: Capturing Bangladesh’s Fishing Culture

There’s so much excellent raw content here!

I spent a few days capturing photos and shooting videos on my iPhone. I plan to compile a montage of the best clips using Final Cut Pro. But for now, enjoy the essence of a Bangladeshi fishing village.

I can’t wait to show you the video we captured on our Drone—a story for another time. –Daniel~Ibrahim

B-Roll Weigh, Auction, Pack Fish, Alipur Fish Dock Bangladesh

The Creative Objective

The Story & The Scene

The Director’s Vision

The Production Pipeline