Dhaka, April 4 -- A fuel supply crunch is crippling marine fishing across Bangladesh's coastal belt, leaving hundreds of boats idle and pushing up fish prices in local markets, industry insiders said.

Fishermen and traders in Chattogram and adjoining coastal areas said diesel is not being supplied to engine boats and small fishing vessels, with petrol pumps citing government directives restricting open sales in drums and bottles. As a result, many boats have been unable to go to sea in recent weeks despite no reported nationwide shortage of diesel.

A fuel supply crunch is crippling marine fishing in the coastal belt area, leaving hundreds of boats idle at ghats, disrupting fish supplies and sending market prices soaring, according to fi...