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Present Status of Fish Biodiversity in Dekhar Haor, Bangladesh: a Case Study

Debasish Pandit
Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

Mrityunjoy Kunda
Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

Ahmed Harun-Al-Rashid
Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

Md. Abu Sufian
Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

Sabuj Kanti Mazumder
Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to identify the present status of fish biodiversity in Dekhar Haor of Sunamganj for a period of 11 months from June 2013 to April 2014. It was done by questionnaire interviews (QI) of fishers, focus group discussions (FGD), key informant interviews (KII) and secondary data collection. During the study period, a total of 84 fish species under 30 families were recorded where 65 species under 23 families were found available in the study area and 19 species disappeared by last 10-15 years. The species availability status was remarked in four categories and obtained as 26 commonly available, 18 moderately available, 21 rarely available and 19 not available species. Among the available species, 9 of carps, 16 of catfishes, 10 of barbs and minnows, 1 of clupeid, 4 of snakeheads, 4 of eels, 11 of perches, 1 of featherback, 3 of loaches and other miscellaneous 6 species including 3 species of prawns were found. The highest abundance of fishes was catfish (24.62%). Highest number of commonly available species (26) was found in October to December and lowest number of commonly available species (7) was observed in April. Among 54 threatened fish species listed by IUCN Bangladesh, about 37 species were found 10-15 years ago in the Haor but only 24 were found during the study period. It is revealed that there has been gradual reduction of fish diversity in the Dekhar Haor area that is from the earlier 84 species to present 65 species (22.62% declined). Average fish catch per fisherman per day was also reduced from 8.35 kg to 1.4 kg in the Dekhar Haor within 10-15 years. Community based fisheries management, fishing gears maintenance, sanctuary establishment and management, implementation of fish acts and regulations, stocking of fish fingerling in the open waters, dredging of beels and raising public awareness can play a great role in conserving fish biodiversity.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Dekhar, Haor Fisherman, Questionnaire Interview and FGD

Location: Sunamganj district

Start Date: 00-06-2013

End Date: 00-04-2014

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Aquatic animal

Objectives:

To identify the present status of fish biodiversity in Dekhar Haor of Sunamganj

Methodology:

Dekhar Haor was selected for the present study because it is one of the largest and most important haors in Bangladesh. As part of the research, a survey for a period of 11 months from June 2013 to April 2014 was conducted only a part of Dekhar Haor under Dakshin Sunamganj upazila. The study was based on field survey method where an appropriate questionnaire was prepared and used for collecting data from 7 villages namely Joykalash, Chandrapur, Islampur, Sultanpur, Enatnagar, Parbotipur and Noyagoan surrounding Dekhar Haor under Dakshin Sunamganj upazila. During collection of data, both primary and secondary sources were considered tointerpret the results. Primary data were collected from 80 randomly selected fishermen through questionnaire interviews (QI) and focus group discussions (FGD) where Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO), union parishad chairman & members, leaders of the fisher community, fish market leaders, fish traders, fry traders and community people were also present. The secondary information were collected from Dakshin Sunamganj upazila fisheries office, district fisheries office of Sunamganj, projects of World Fish in Sunamganj, books, journals and theses. After collecting data, it was cross-checked through key informant interviews (KII) with Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO), District Fisheries Officer (DFO), school teachers, local leaders and NGO workers in the study area. Finally data were analyzed by using Microsoft office excels 2010 and SPSS statistical software (20 version). Tables, pie-charts, cylinder diagram etc. were used for presentation of results.

Source of Information: World Journal of Fish and Marine Sciences 7 (4): 278-287, 2015 ISSN 2078-4589

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Among the available species, 9 of carps, 16 of catfishes, 10 of barbs and minnows, 1 of clupeid, 4 of snakeheads, 4 of eels, 11 of perches, 1 of featherback, 3 of loaches and other miscellaneous 6 species including 3 species of prawns were found. The highest abundance of fishes was catfish (24.62%). Highest number of commonly available species (26) was found in October to December and lowest number of commonly available species (7) was observed in April. Among 54 threatened fish species listed by IUCN Bangladesh, about 37 species were found 10-15 years ago in the Haor but only 24 were found during the study period. It is revealed that there has been gradual reduction of fish diversity in the Dekhar Haor area that is from the earlier 84 species to present 65 species (22.62% declined). Average fish catch per fisherman per day was also reduced from 8.35 kg to 1.4 kg in the Dekhar Haor within 10-15 years. Community based fisheries management, fishing gears maintenance, sanctuary establishment and management, implementation of fish acts and regulations, stocking of fish fingerling in the open waters, dredging of beels and raising public awareness can play a great role in conserving fish biodiversity.

Knowledge Management: Journal