Dubla Island, located at the southern edge of the Sundarbans where the Bay of Bengal meets the largest mangrove forest on Earth, is a world of its own—remote, raw, and breathtakingly real. Every year, during the fishing season from mid-October to mid-February, the island transforms into a bustling temporary settlement of thousands of fishermen who travel from different parts of Bangladesh to earn their livelihood. The journey to Dubla Island is not easy; it requires crossing vast river channels, unpredictable tides, and navigating through wildlife-rich mangrove creeks. Yet, the promise of abundant fish and the opportunity to support their families bring these fishermen back year after year. For them, Dubla Island is not merely a workplace—it is a seasonal home built on courage, experience, and hope.

Life on Dubla Island follows a rhythm shaped by the sea. The fishermen stay in makeshift camps locally known as “Chhals”—simple structures made from bamboo, tarpaulin sheets, and mangrove wood. Each camp is led by a “Majhi,” who organizes fishing teams and manages daily activities. The fishermen head out to the open sea in groups, often spending several days on their small boats. Their days begin before dawn as they venture into the waves to cast nets, catching fish, shrimp, and other marine life that sustain the local fishing economy. Once the boats return, the catch is processed immediately—cleaned, sorted, and dried under the sun to produce the famous Dubla Island dried fish (Shutki). The entire island becomes a giant open-air drying yard during the peak season, with rows of fish spread across bamboo racks, filling the air with a distinctive scent. This dried fish is later sold across the country and also exported abroad, supporting thousands of livelihoods.

Despite the beauty and productivity of Dubla Island, the life of the fishermen is filled with challenges. They endure extreme weather conditions, from sudden storms to chilling winter nights. Wild animals, especially tigers and crocodiles, pose life-threatening risks, particularly for those working closer to the mangrove edges. Lack of medical facilities, limited communication, and dependency on basic food supplies require the fishermen to be mentally strong and self-reliant. Many stay away from their families for months, living a life of hardship driven by the single purpose of earning enough to secure their children’s education, healthcare, and daily needs. In the midst of these struggles, a strong sense of brotherhood holds the fishing communities together. They share meals, look after one another in emergencies, and maintain traditional rules that have guided the island’s fishing culture for decades.

Yet, Dubla Island is not only about struggle; it is also about resilience, tradition, and harmony with nature. The famous Rash Mela festival, held annually during the fishing season, symbolizes the deep cultural roots of the community and brings moments of joy to an otherwise hard life. As the sun sets over the Bay of Bengal and the camps light up with hurricane lamps, Dubla Island becomes a place of stories—stories of survival, unity, and the unwavering spirit of the fishermen who depend on the sea. Their life on the island is a reminder of how humans adapt to nature’s rhythm while preserving their heritage. Dubla Island continues to stand as a living museum of coastal culture, where the bravery and determination of fishermen shape both the island’s identity and the nation’s fisheries economy.