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Assessment of Fishing Gears Crafts and Socio-economic Condition of Hilsa (tenualosa Ilisha) Fisherman of Padma River, Bangladesh

Md. Ayenuddin Haque
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Md. Delwer Hossain
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Md. Abu Sayed Jewel
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Dil Afroze Khanom
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Abdullah Al Masud
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Studies were conducted on the types and characteristics of fishing gears, crafts and socio-economic conditions of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha, Hamilton, 1822) fishing communities of the Padma river region in Charghat and Bhaga upazilla under the district of Rajshahi for a period six month starting from July 2014 to December 2014. A total of 186 fishermen were selected by random sampling and interviewed which include 61 boat owners, 92 labour fishermen and 33 donga owners from two villages. Face to face interviews, group discussions and direct visits were performed to collect and verify data. Types of gears and crafts, major characteristics were recorded. Drift gill net as fishing gear and chandi boat and donga as crafts were found in the studied area for hilsa fishing. Most of the fishermen were professional (57% and 61.63%). Age group of majority of the fisherman was 21-30 years (40%) in Raowtha and 31-40 years (36.05%) in Vanukor village. Most of the fishermen have fishing experience between 0-10 years. Most of the fishermen with family size of 4-6 (61% and 56.98%). 28% of the fishermen in Raowtha village have primary (1-5) level of educations, while 29.07% fishermen in Vanukor village can only sign their name. Full katcha (71% and 51.16%) houses were abundant, while the pacca houses were 9% and 13.95% in two villages respectively. Majority of the fishermen depend on village doctor (94% in Raowtha and 97.67% in Vanukor village respectively) for health facilities. Sanitary facilities were dominated by kacha toilet. Income of the fishermen was found high during hilsa fishing season and lower during other season. It was found that majority of the fishermen were money borrower and 64% and 80.23% of the fishermen borrowed money from NGO’s and the rest borrowed money from neighbors and relatives. The main problems were identified as extortion by local extortionist; other problems such as inadequate credit facilities, lack of appropriate preservation facilities and frequent conflict between professional and nonprofessional fishermen were prominent. They need more institutional, organizational and technical help and credit support for the betterment of their socio-economic condition and sustainable livelihood.

Keywords: Padma River, Hilsa fishers, Gears and crafts, Socio-economic condition

Location: The bank of Padma River under Raowtha and Vanukor village of Charghat and Bagha upazilla of Rajahahi district.

Start Date: 00-07-2014

End Date: 00-12-2014

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Hilsa, Fishing gears

Objectives:

Unfortunately, there have very minor governmental and other organization (NGOs) initiative to manage and improve Hilsa fishermen condition in this area. As a result ban periods cannot significantly contribute in increasing catch per unit effort. This decreasing trend of catch per unit effort makes them more vulnerable to poverty day by day. Several studies have been conducted on biology of hilsa fisheries in Padma River. But there is no clear understanding about the impact of banning period on the livelihoods of Hilsa fishermen in these localities. Considering the above fact, the present study was carried out to review the state of structure, construction materials of gears and craft and livelihood status of Hilsa fisherman living around Padma River.

Methodology:

2.1 Description of the study area: The study area was on the bank of Padma River under Raowtha and Vanukor village of Charghat and Bagha upazilla of Rajahahi district. The study was conducted for a period of 6 (Six) months from July, 2014 to December, 2014 in respect of fishing activities and livelihood conditions of fisherman.

2.2 Sample size and data collection A total of 186 fishermen were selected proportionately from 2 kilometer of Padma River. Both primary and secondary data were used during the study period. Primary data were collected based on questionnaire interview, field survey, Focused group discussion (FGD) and direct observation. Different types of gears, operation time, and total number etc. and different necessary information on Hilsa fishing crafts used in the study area were collected on the basis of needs of the study by direct observation. Secondary data on fishing gears and fishing crafts used for Hilsa fishing and livelihood of fishermen were collected from journals, text books, newspaper etc. Cross-check interviews were conducted with key person such as, Upazila Fisheries Officer, and relevant NGO workers for confirmation of the relevant information. The interviews of respondents were conducted in their office.

2.3 Data processing and analysis After collection of data, these were edited and coded. All the collected data were summarized and scrutinized carefully and recorded. All the collected information were accumulated and analyzed by MS-Excel and then presented in textual, tabular and graphical forms to understand the present livelihood status of the fishermen in the studied area.

Source of Information: International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2017; 5(2): 177-183

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The socio-economic condition of riverine fisherman communities was presented in terms of age structure, religion, family type, family size, housing condition etc. The fishermen were deprived of many amenities such as population pressure, low income, lack of alternative employment opportunities, extortion by the local extortionist, loan problem, theft robbing etc. Fishermen also faced various problems such as child education, health facilities, food consumption, and pasting of savings during banning season. Almost all fishermen mentioned lack of capital and lack of viable alternatives during banning period as their main problems. Demand, availability, conservation means, etc. indicated that it is a sector of massive prospect bearing urgent initiative to uplift the livelihood of this marginal segment of` population by searching alternative livelihoods, most importantly during the ban and lean periods.

Knowledge Management: Journal