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Study on Aquatic Biodiversity of Medha Beel in the Northern Region of Bangladesh

B. K. CHAKRABORTY
Department of Fisheries,Bangladesh

N. N. NUR
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The Medha beel has surrounded the Upazilla of Kolmakanda, Netrokona district an average are of 122.15 ha for the period of January 2003 to December 2007. A total number of 70 species of fishes, four species of prawn, one species of crabs, one species of snail and four species of reptiles were identified so far from the Medha beel. About 10 types of fishing methods were found in operation. Increasing the rate of fishing pressure within five years by seine net (moshari jal) from 15.4 to 20.5% and current jal (mono filament gill net) from 22.0% to 34.4% were identified as detrimental gear killing including different species during spawning and post spawning periods. An increasing rate in fishing pressure of the water bodies was a thread to aquatic biodiversity of the Medha beel. The aquatic production of the Medha beel was declined dramatically over the last five (2003-2007) years. The total production of the Medha beel was decreased from 105.31±5.28 to 54.64±3.43 mt within five years and the percentage of total production was sharply decreased from 12.98 to 48.12% over the same period. So, a number of commercial important fish species like as major carps, mohasher (Tor tor), nandina (Labeo nandina), olive barb, sharpunti (Puntius sarana), Gajar (Channa marulius) and reptiles (Kachuga tecta and Morenia petersi) were extinct, nine species were facing an extremely high risk of extinction, 39 species were facing a very high risk of extinction and 19 species were facing a more or less high risk of extinction between 2003 and 2007.

Keywords: Aquatic lives, Biodiversity, Endangered and Illegal fishing

Location: Netrokona district.

Start Date: 00-01-2003

End Date: 00-12-2007

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

To study the aquatic biodiversity of Medha beel in the Northern region of Bangladesh

Methodology:

The Experimental Medha beel comprising an average were of 122.15 ha with an average depth 1.22±0.05 m. Potika, Jatra Bari, Rampur, BorKhapon, Uttar Kaghoji para and Rana Gaon villages, have surrounded the beel. The study observation period was during January 2003 to December 2007 and based on both primary and secondary data, comprehensive literature review and extracted of local knowledge and information. Collection of primary data was made by field observation and different experimentations viz. experimental fishing in the beel, survey of different fishing methods, survey of fish markets adjacent to beel, monitoring of hydrological, meteorological, physico-chjemical and biological characteristics of beel and fishers’ perception as well. Secondary data were collected from the fishers, local administration and Department of Fisheries (DoF). A bamboo made meter scale measured water depth. Water temperature was measured using a Celsius thermometer and transparency was recorded by using a Secchi disc of 20 cm diameter. Dissolved oxygen and pH were measured directly using a digital electronic oxygen meter (YSI Model 58) and an electronic pH meter (Jenway Model 3020). Alkalinity was determined by titrimetric method. The plankton sample was collected fortnightly from the euphotic zone using 0.55 blotting silk plankton net and later analyzed numerically with the help of Sedgewick-Rafter counting cell (SR-cell) under a compound microscope. Calculation of the abundance of plankton. The Medha beel was sampled simultaneously during winter (mid November to February), pre monsoon (February to April), monsoon (May to August) and post monsoon (September to mid November) for assessment of aquatic lives abundance and availability. The present study was given a broad picture of a stock of fishes, crabs and reptiles that was collected directly from fishers’ catch, fishing through enclosure with bana (made by bamboo), khata and kua fishing, and market survey (Kolmakanda Borkapon and Modyanagor Bazar). Resident fish species was recorded through fishing in the deep pool areas and man-made kuas where water remains during dry season (January to mid April). The data were analyzed through one way ANOVA using MSTAT followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test to find out whether any significant difference existed among treatment means.

Source of Information: Journal of Crop and Weed, 5(2): 4-11(2009)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

About 10 types of fishing methods were found in operation. Increasing the rate of fishing pressure within five years by seine net (moshari jal) from 15.4 to 20.5% and current jal (mono filament gill net) from 22.0% to 34.4% were identified as detrimental gear killing including different species during spawning and post spawning periods. An increasing rate in fishing pressure of the water bodies was a thread to aquatic biodiversity of the Medha beel. The aquatic production of the Medha beel was declined dramatically over the last five (2003-2007) years. The total production of the Medha beel was decreased from 105.31±5.28 to 54.64±3.43 mt within five years and the percentage of total production was sharply decreased from 12.98 to 48.12% over the same period. So, a number of commercial important fish species like as major carps, mohasher (Tor tor), nandina (Labeo nandina), olive barb, sharpunti (Puntius sarana), Gajar (Channa marulius) and reptiles (Kachuga tecta and Morenia petersi) were extinct, nine species were facing an extremely high risk of extinction, 39 species were facing a very high risk of extinction and 19 species were facing a more or less high risk of extinction between 2003 and 2007.

Knowledge Management: Journal