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Fish Diversity and Livelihood Patterns of the Fishers of Turag River, Bangladesh

G. A. Latifa
Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

M. Asaduzzaman
Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An investigation was carried out from September 2012 to August 2013 to assess the fish diversity and livelihood pattern of fishers of the Turag River through the use of a catch assessment survey, well-structured questionnaire and participatory rural appraisal tools. A total of 48 species of fishes was recorded belonging to 21 families of10 orders were identifi ed under 36 genus. Cypriniformes was most dominant order constituting 44% of the total fish population followed by Siluriformes (17%), Perciformes (15%),Channiformes (6%), Mastacembeliformes (4%), Osteoglossiformes (4%), Clupeiformes (4%), Beloniformes (2%),Tetraodontiformes (2%) and Decapoda (2%). Among all species 2 were critically endangered,7 were endangered, 6 were vulnerable and 23 species were not threatened recorded in the IUCN’s red list of the country. The maximum number of fish found 40 species in the post-monsoon period. From assessing the present socio-economic status of the fishing community the largest group of fishers belong to the age class 35-45 years(34%), followed by the age groups 25-35 (27%), 45-55 (17%), 15-25 (14%), and those older than 55 years (8%). Most of the fishers (54%) were illiterate. Only (27%) of them able to sign,14% of fishers had primary level education and only 5% fishers up to level eight and above group. About 16% of the fishers had low income (10,000 - 30,000 BDT), 58% had moderate-income (30,000 - 60,000 BDT) and only 26% had high income (above 60,000 BDT). About 15% of fishers had a pit, 56% had ring slub and 29% had pacca sanitation system. Most of the 78% Fishers had 1-2 days meal per week with fish and only 22% had 3-4 days per week.

Keywords: Fish diversity, Livelihood, Turag River.

Location: Turag River, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-09-2012

End Date: 00-08-2013

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Fish

Objectives:

The present study was carried out to assess the fi sh species diversity and livelihood patterns of the fi shers of in the riverine area.

Methodology:

The study was conducted from September 2012 to August 2013 at Gopinpur site located at Kaliakoir in Turag River. The Turag River flows closed to Gazipur City, Geographical position of the study area Gopinpur lies between the 24⁰ 06' N to 90⁰ 16'E Latitude and longitude respectively. Both primary and secondary data were used for the present study. Primary data were collected through a direct fish caught by the fishers in the river by using push net, seine net, cast net, lift net, gill net, hooks and long line and also structured questionnaire interview, focus group discussion (FGD) and cross-check interviews from fishers and local people. Some information gathered from Upazila Fisheries Officer, community leader, and NGO’s staff. A questionnaire survey is an important part of collecting primary data. In conformity with the objectives of the study, a draft questionnaire was prepared in such a way that all factors associated with the socio-economic condition of fishers as well as concerning fish diversity could be covered. The draft questionnaire was pre-tested using elicit responses from interviewing several fishers. About 50 fishers were randomly selected to conduct this study. In addition, the secondary data were collected from, BWDB, WFC and reports, journals together with publications of IPAC, NSP, MACH, IUCN, DoF, Government of Bangladesh projects, etc. The data obtained from questionnaires as well as reports were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis in form of frequencies and percentages by using SPSS V 20.0 developed by SPSS (mac) and MS Office Excel 2010 software’s developed by the Microsoft Corporation.

Source of Information: The Festschrift on the 50th Anniversary of The IUCN Red List of threatened Species

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The present investigation revealed that the diversity of fishes in the Turag river decrease day by day. Several factors as habitat destruction, water pollution, and overfishing, human intervention, misuse of gears and crafts, unplanned infra-structures, climate change are observed to be the causes of the degradation of species diversity. Also, the socio-economic condition of the fishers is not satisfactory. The fishers were deprived of many facilities. Long-term studies on fish diversity, fishing gears and socio-economic conditions are much essential to know the changes in the fish diversity and socio-economic development of the fishers community for better and sustainable Turag river management.

Knowledge Management: Journal