The study was conducted during February to July, 2010 and the data were collected from seven stations of Hatiya Island such as Sukhchar, Nalchira, Char king, Tomaruddin, Burirchar, Sonadia and Jahajmara. In this area, fishing is the main way of livelihood for the fisher folks. The study employed a combination of different methods, techniques and tools for data collection. These consisted of a desk study to review secondary sources of information, semi-structured interviews, observation and group discussion to collect qualitative and quantitative data. Primary data was collected by semi-structured questionnaire. Secondary data were collected from various commune’s annual reports and documents. These include general information such as present condition of fishing gears and crafts, common names, numbers, types and sizes, the species are caught, specialty, problems created by the gears and crafts, problem faced, mechanization and socio-economic situation of the fish farmers etc. Data were collected by personal communication from UFO (Upazilla Fisheries Officer), DFO (District Fisheries Officer) and the fishermen. Interviews were conducted by face to face interview method. Semi-structured questionnaire interview was collected. The semi-structured interview was designed to elicit specific responses to specific questions. Open-ended questions were used in the semi-structured interview to explore broad issues in a non-directive, non-threatening manner.
Group discussions were used to collect primary data. The checklist focused on the fishing activity, the gears and crafts used in the fishing activity and detailed description. The procedure was to first talk with village head and key informants to ask for organizing group discussions of experienced fishermen in that community and then identify a place and time appropriate for group discussion. In total, I organized 3 group discussions at Hatiya. Each group gathered 7-9 villagers, including women, men, young and old people, who were invited by villages’ head.
The interviews provided information about fishing gears and crafts at Hatiya, several types and sizes of gears and crafts, operations, number of men need to operate, time of use, carrying capacity, construction cost, repairing frequency, life span of the gears and crafts, efficiency, preservation process, owner of the gears and crafts, leasing condition, the difficulty of their life, about governmental help, issues relating to livelihood activities, alternative livelihoods.