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Effects of Fishing Practices on Fish Species Loss in Old Brahmaputra River

M. Sultana
Ex-MS Student, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, BAU, Mymensingh

M. Z. Rahman
Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, BAU, Mymensingh

M. J. Hoque
Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, BAU, Mymensingh

M. S. Kowsari
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, BAU, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Bangladesh is one of the world-leading fish-producing countries. This sector is contributing significantly to food security by providing safe and quality animal protein. The objectives of the study were to (i) explore the existing fishing practices used by fishermen and (ii) find out the effects of using fishing practices on fish species loss as perceived by the fishermen. The study was conducted in one village of Sadar Upazila under the Mymensingh district. Fifty-five fishermen were selected as samples from a total population of 157 fishermen. A pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect data from the respondents from August to September 2014. A total of nine types of fishing gears were recorded for harvesting fish from Old Brahmaputra River. Among them, six were fishing nets, one fish trap, one hook and one bush trap. The major effects of using fishing practices on fish species, as mentioned by the fishermen-over fishing, catch of unwanted fish, loss of undersized fish species, destruction of breeding individual and shrimp, massive aquatic biodiversity loss and others. Among them, fish traps (Bair) caused the highest effects. The effect of the destruction of breeding individuals and shrimp is the major one. Ninety-five percent of respondents considered the overall effect of using fishing practices on fish species loss as low. Seventy-eight percent of respondents considered the problems in using standard fishing as a medium. Different GOs and NGOs should take appropriate strategies to motivate fishermen to use standard fishing practices for protecting the fisheries sector as well as improving their livelihoods.

Keywords: Effect, Fishing practices, Fish species

Location: Old Brahmaputra River, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Fish

Objectives:

The present study was undertaken in order to explore the existing fishing practices used by fishermen and to find out the effect of using fishing practices on fish species loss as perceived by the fishermen.

Methodology:

The locale of the study, Population and Sample: The area for the study was the Old Brahmaputra river adjacent village opposite the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The Char Iswardia Union consists of 13 villages among which one village namely Char Kalibari was purposively selected for this study. Most of the people of this village depended on fishing from the river. The total household number of this village was 157 and among them, 55 households actively depended on fishing activities. This information was collected from the Upazila Statistics Office and Upazila Fisheries Office of Mymensingh Sadar Upazila. One fisher from one household was considered as a respondent. Thus, data were collected from 55 households standing to a total number of 55 respondents. Data collection methods and analysis: A structured interview schedule was prepared on keeping the objectives of the study in mind. The questions and statements contained in the schedule were simple, direct and easily understandable by the respondents. The schedule was checked by several researchers and experts from the Department of Agricultural Extension Education, BAU, Mymensingh. Appropriate statements were included in the schedule and then finalized for collecting data. To reveal the names of existing fishing practices used by fishermen was done through focus group discussion (FGD). The purpose of focus group discussion was to stimulate discussion around issues concerned. For this study, eight fishermen were selected for conducting a single FGD. Group discussion was facilitated by the researcher through the active participation of the fishermen. After exploring the possible names of fishing practices through FGD, these were put into the interview schedule to measure their extent of use. After that, the data were properly edited and coded, put into the computer and analyzed by using SPSS software.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education Volume 31, No. 1&2, 2019:87-93 ISSN 1011-3916

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Fishermen use different types of fishing practices to catch fish from rivers. A total of nine types of fishing gears were recorded for harvesting fish from the Old Brahmaputra River. The use of such types of fishing gears leads to the conclusion that fishers use these gears for their instant economic benefit, poor awareness and ease in operation. There are fifteen types of fish species caught by seven different types of fishing gears. Most of the fishermen (81.82 percent) in this area used fish traps for catching fish. Use of fish trap got the highest score of 121 and hence considered as the 1stfishing practices used by the fishermen. Due to the easy operating method and cheap rate, marginal fishers widely used these traps for commercial and household consumption purposes. Ninety-five percent of respondents considered the overall effect of using fishing practices on fish species loss as low. The major effects of using fishing practices on fish species loss as opined by the fishers were overfishing, catch of unwanted fish, loss of undersized fish species, destruction of breeding individual and shrimp, massive aquatic biodiversity loss. The statement “destruction of breeding individual and shrimp” got the highest score of 119 and hence considered as the 1st effect of fishing practices. These findings lead to the conclusion that existing fishing practices may decrease the fish species as well as the production of fish for consumption and marketing. Extension media contacts need to be increased to make the fishermen more conscious about the effect of destructive fishing practices and motivate them to use standard fishing practices as practical as possible.

Knowledge Management: Journal