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Impact of Community-based Fisheries Management Practices on Production and Species Diversity in Turag-bangshi Basin Floodplains in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Maliha Naureen
School of Environmental Science & Management, Independent University, Baridhara, Dhaka, Bangladesh

H.E. Rashid
School of Environmental Science & Management, Independent University, Baridhara, Dhaka, Bangladesh

D. Deppert
MACH Project, Winrock International, USAID, Dhaka

M.S. Ali
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh 2201

A.H.M. Kohinoor
Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Mymensingh 2201

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to investigate the communities perception and compliance to community-based fisheries management (CBFM) in Turag-Bangshi floodplains under Kaliakoir, Gazipur District. Measures such as ban on use of the harmful fishing gears, seasonal fishing closure, halt of fry fishing, halt of dewatering of beels and the impact of establishment of sanctuaries on fish production and species diversity were introduced by MACH project. Almost all members of the communities in Turag-Bangshi MACH (Management of Aquatic Ecosystem through Community Husbandry) site welcomed the introduction and complied with the implementation of all management measures which helped stopped use of harmful fishing gears, ensured survival and breeding of brood fish in the rainy season, protected and allowed fry to grow big, restored lost and degraded fisheries and organized communities for sustainable development of the fisheries. A total of 51 species of fishes were found in Makosh beel (natural depression). Among these, small indigenous species (SIS) under Cyprinidae family (Puntius sophore) was the most dominant. Many species available in the past recorded disappeared from the Makosh beel due to loss of habitat and industrial pollution that damaged spawning and nursery grounds of fish. Introduction of some selective native endangered species (Nandus nandus, Notopterus notopterus, Ompok pabda and Labeo calbasu) by MACH in the Turag-Bangshi water bodies increased diversity of species from 82 to 95. Over a period of five years during MACH intervention, the average production remained nearly 200% higher than the baseline production of 57 kg/ha to present 207 kg/ha due to maintaining sanctuaries and the closed fishing seasons. Per capita daily fish consumption of the surrounding communities also increased by 78% (from 27 to 48 g/person/day) which is much higher than the national average fish consumption in Bangladesh. The implementation of community-based MACH project management measures substantially improved fish habitat, production, consumption and socio-economic conditions of the surrounding communities. The model can be used to improve the floodplains of Bangladesh.

Keywords: Community-based fisheries management, Sanctuary, Biodiversity, Beel

Location: Kaliakoir, Gazipur District.

Start Date: 00-10-2006

End Date: 00-12-2006

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

To study the impact of community based fisheries management measures as introduced by the MACH project.

Methodology:

MACH: MACH stands for Management of Aquatic Ecosystems through Community Husbandry. This is a joint GoB/USAID project implemented by the Department of Fisheries and sponsored by USAID. The present study conducted in Turag-Bangshi floodplain site. Description of the study area: Lower Turag-Bangshi basin floodplains of the MACH project located about 40 km north from the capital city Dhaka. The site covers seven unions of Kailakoir Upazila under Gazipur District and one Union of Mirzapur Upazila of the Tangail District. The Turag-Bangshi River flows through the site with many beels (natural depression) on either side of the river. During rainy season, the floodwaters spill over the riverbanks through canals connecting the adjacent beels turning them into a large watershed. Through these canals fishes move from the rivers to the heels/floodplains for spawning and nursing. When water recedes after the monsoon the fish either move into the deeper perennial portions of the beel or back into the river. The hydrology of the Turag-Bangshi Floodplain is determined principally by the monsoon occurring through May-October followed by a dry period in November-April. Of the 26 beels lying in the project area, Makosh beel was selected for the study during OctoberDecember 2006. Data collection: Primary information on understanding and compliance to various fisheries management measures as introduced by the MACH project management and their impacts on production in general and sanctuary in particular were collected through interviewing the members of the Resource User Groups (RUG), Resource Management Committees (RMC) and the Resource Management Organizations (RMO) as constituted by the project. Data on project management matters and the benefits of introducing resource management measures were obtained from secondary sources such as MACH project publications and reports. Community understanding and compliance to MACH management tools: A pre-designed questionnaire was used to get response in regards to understanding and compliance of the Resource Users Communities (fishers) to the introduction of 5 fisheries management tools which include: ban on the use of harmful fishing gears, seasonal fishing closure, halt of the fry fishing, halt of dewatering of beels, and establishment of sanctuaries. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and some semi structured questions were also used for collection of qualitative data for supplemental stocking, fish production, economic benefits and water pollution. Information on fish diversity as affected by various factors like over-exploitation, water management, supplemental stocking and aquatic pollution were collected by using a pre- designed questionnaire and direct sampling of fish in Makosh beel of the Turag-Bangshi basin. Data on fish production from Makosh beel was obtained from the site office of MACH.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Fish. Res., 11(2), 2007: 197-210

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Establishment of sanctuaries and restocking of fish have significantly increased the capture fisheries production, species diversity and reestablishment of endangered and disappeared species. Although the five years during project intervention the average production remained nearly 200% higher than the baseline production of 57 kg/ha to 207 kg/ha due to maintaining sanctuaries and closed fishing seasons. Total fish catches increased by 2 to 6 times from 243 tons in 1999 to 1,403 tons in 2005. Per capita daily fish consumption of the surrounding communities increased by 78% (from 27 to 48 g/person/day) which is higher than the national average fish consumption in Bangladesh. The socio-economic status of the fishers community has substantially improved due to increase in fish production and income. The results obtained by MACH provide new insights into the management and improvement of floodplain fisheries resources. It is therefore, suggested that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock should replicate the new community-based floodplain management approach as developed by the MACH project in other floodplain areas for gradual development of floodplain fisheries and the fishing communities of Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal