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Status of Fish Aggregating Device Fishery in the River Titas of Bangladesh

M. G. Mustafa
World Fish, South Asia Office, House 22B, Road 7, Block F, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Aims: To examine the status of Fish Aggregating Device (Katha) fishery in the river Titas in Bangladesh and development of an alternative Katha fishery management strategy. Study Design: All Fish Aggregating Devices (Kathas) were recorded through a census survey. Fish catch monitoring facilitated through a regular catch survey of Katha/gear/team in operation. Place and Duration of Study: The study employed data collected from the river Titas in Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh from 1997 to 2002. Methodology: A census of all constructed Fish Aggregating Devices (Kathas) in the study sites was undertaken. Catch data, including information on species composition and abundance, were collected from Katha fishers during the harvest season. Simultaneously a robust catch assessment was observed for four days per month. Randomly selected samples of catch by species by gear are recorded for each gear type. Results:Katha fisheries in this river accounted for 28%, 20%, 34%, 34%, 37% and 25% of annual fish production in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively. Significant (p<0.001) differences in species assemblages between Katha and survey catch were found in this river. However, species distributions in Katha catch are not significantly different in the years 1997 to 2002 at the 5% level. Conclusion: Katha fishery in the river system generally has a detrimental impact on fisheries resources as well as reducing fishing opportunities for poor and marginal fishers.

Keywords: Fish aggregating devices; Catch monitoring; Species assemblage; Biodiversity.

Location: The river Titas in Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-1997

End Date: 00-00-2002

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Fish

Objectives:

The status of Katha fisheries was examined in three ways. Firstly, by using data from Kathacatch in estimates of fisheries production and biodiversity trends. Secondly, by using species data from Katha and survey catch for determining species abundance for open water fisheries resources management. Finally, by using cost-benefit data from Katha preparation and harvest for determining profit.

Methodology:

2.1 Katha (Fish Aggregation Device) Census A census of all constructed Kathas in the study sites was undertaken from 1997 to 2002. Catch data, including information on species composition and abundance, were collected from fishers during the harvest season. Annual catches from Kathas were based on the total seasonal harvest and expressed as catch per hectare of Katha per year (kg/ha). 2.2 Catch and Gear Survey Fishing activity were observed for four days per month (m), continuously for 72 months. Gear surveys involved a regular spot survey for a sample of gears in operation and the total catch from each gear type (g). A gear census covered the number and types of gear operating in the study sites. The species-wise catch of gear g for month m was estimated as the product of the mean catch rate for gear g, the average number of fishing units operating of type g, and the number of days in the month. The average number of gear units per day was used to estimate total gear-wise fishing effort for that month as well as for the whole year. Mean gear-wise catch rate was used to estimate total catch for that month, as well as for the whole year. Annual catch per unit area (CPUA) was employed as a measure of fish production in the river.

Source of Information: Advances in Research 10(2): 1-14, 2017; Article no.AIR.33850 ISSN: 2348-0394, NLM ID: 101666096

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Control measures are necessary to limit the deployment of Katha fishing considering the appropriateness of its extent, the number of Kathas in a water body, and the species mix of fish at a site. Katha fishing may be considered as harmful as brood-fish of many of the riverine resident species are easily caught. The study has provided evidence that the Katha fishery restricts recruitment to the inland open water fishery and therefore results in an overall lowering of production. Also, the relative abundance of top predators in Kathas could be an indication of biological overfishing. On the other hand, it is a very efficient device to harvest big carnivores (top predators) like Wallago Attu, Channa marulius, Channa striatus etc. So from the point of view of fisheries management, Kathas represents a dilemma. Although this study may not be solely conclusive, it appears that the Katha fishery in the river system generally has a detrimental impact on fisheries resources as well as reducing fishing opportunities for poor and marginal fishers. Further research is needed on this to reach a decision on this fish aggregating device, whether it should be continued or fully stopped in the inland open water fisheries management system, where community-based fisheries management has to a real alternative to promote.

Knowledge Management: Journal