Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Impact of Fishing Gear on Fish Biodiversity of Hakaluki Haor in Bangladesh

Mustafizur Rahman
Department of Fisheries Technology and Quality Control, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Md. Abu Sayeed
Department of Fisheries Technology and Quality Control, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Md. Golam Rasul
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Md. Nurunnabi Mondal
Department of Fisheries Management, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Bhaskar Chandra Majumdar
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh

AKM Azad Shah
Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of fishing gears on fish biodiversity of Hakaluki haor for a period of 12 months. A total of 15 types of fishing gears such as nets, traps, hooks and lines, wounding gear and fish aggregating devices (FADs) were observed. The highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) was found in seine net (38.21 kg gear-1hour-1) during the month of January followed by push net and lift net. The lowest CPUE was 0.1135 kg gear-1hour-1 in traps during June to October while in hook and line CPUE was 0.2303 kg gear-1hour-1 during June to September. Major gears such as seine net, current jal, hand borshi, katha fishery, koi jal, khora jal, thela jal and different types of traps were used by the fishermen during the month of November to April. Catch composition of fish in the haor were Cypriniformes (36%), Siluriformes (23%), Perciformes (20%), Synbranchiformes (5%), Osteoglossiformes (4%), Clupeiformes (3%), Beloniformes (3%) Tetraodontiformes (2%) and Crustaceans (4%). On the basis of species composition, the dominant fish species were harvested by seine net, cast net, lift net, push net, chai, dori and hand borshi, which was considered as non-selective gears, while koi jal, current jal, and borshi were found as selective gears. This study revealed that the highest biomass of fish was caught in January while the lowest was recorded in July and August. Moreover, seine net and current jal were found to be harmful for most of the fish species in the Hakaluki haor.

Keywords: Fishing gears, CPUE, Fish biodiversity, Catch composition

Location: Hakaluki haor, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Fish

Objectives:

This study was planned to investigate the impact of fishing practices on fish biodiversity and assess catch composition in the Hakaluki haor and recommend for sustainable development both stocked fingerlings and wild population.

Methodology:

2.1 Location and description of the study area An intricate ecosystem Hakaluki haor is consists of more than 238 inter-connecting beels or Jalmahals. It lies between latitude 24^o 35' N to 24^o45' N and longitude 92^o 00' E to 92^o 08' E. The total area of the haor is approximately 18,000 ha, including the area which is completely inundated during monsoon. It is bounded by the Kushiara River as well as a part of the Sonai-Bardal River at its north, by the Fenchuganj-Kulaura Railway at the west as well as at the south, and by the Kulaura-Beanibazar Road in the east. Hakaluki haor spreads over two districts (Maulvibazar and Sylhet) and five Upazilas (Barlekha, Kulaura, Fenchuganj, Golapganj and Juri). 2.2 Experimental site and period of study The study was conducted in three catchments areas situated in two districts from December, 2012 to November, 2013. The study sites were the Barlekha (Khataora), the Kulaura (Shadipur) and the Fenchugonj (Gilasora). The haor is located in the villages of Khataora, Shadipur, Gilasora, Morshidabad Kora, Ahamodpur, Halla, Islampur, Shirampur and Boro Moydan. The villages mainly consisted of many small and large beels. Different areas of the haor and 3 harvesting spots were visited during the study period. The study was based on collection of primary and secondary data. Before collecting the primary data a questionnaire was developed which was pre-tested among few fishermen. During pre-testing, attention was given to any new information in the draft questionnaire in order to reach the objectives of the study. The questionnaire was finalized based on the information gathered during pre-testing of the questionnaire. The types of fishing gears and the catch data were collected from fishermen at the fishing spot through sampling, interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) and Catch Assessment Survey (CAS) were conducted using a boat, starting from 6 am to 6 pm twice in a month, for 12 months. Each sampling was performed in the same sampling locations with three replicates twice a month during December 2012 to November 2013. Sampling was carried out fortnightly at each sampling site. Different types of fishing gear were surveyed randomly by inspection, by interviewing fishers on each sampling day and name, number and weight of the catch were estimated to the nearest gram (g) using a single pan balance. Catch composition of each type of gear was recorded by physical examination of the total catch; however, sometime the total catch was purchased from the fishermen to study the species composition. The samples were also sorted out species wise and count number and weight of each species. Species composition in each type of gear was analyzed to determine the species diversity. The percentage of species composition in the catch (by number) for each type of gear was calculated. The CPUE by gear types was also assessed. Data were analyzed using MS Excel 2010.

Source of Information: International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2016; 4(6): 257-262

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Hakaluki haor is one of the largest wetland ecosystems in Bangladesh both national and international aspects. The highest number and biomass of fish appear in January and the lowest biomass of fish was recorded in the rainy season during May to September but a gradual rise was recorded from October to March. As per local fishers of Hakaluki haor there is a declining trend in the production and abundance of biodiversity. Overharvesting of resources results in rapid depletion of productivity and biodiversity of the haor. Besides these, the use of destructive fishing gears and dewatering of wetlands in the dry season makes the fish and other aquatic organisms vulnerable to extinction. Suggestions put forward by the stakeholders/resource users/local elites in relation to biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, uplift livelihoods of fishers as well as increased fish production.

Knowledge Management: Journal