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Fishermen Livelihood and Fishery Resources of the Sundarbans Reserved Forest Along the Mongla Port Area Bangladesh

Rajib Hasan
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

M Niamul Naser
Professor
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Fishermen livelihood and aquatic resources of the Sundarbans Reserved Forest area along the Mongla port, Khulna has been focused in this study. Poor fisher communities of Mongla upazila considered as marginalized communities as completely dependent on Sundarbans aquatic resources for their food security and income needs. The overall aim of this study is to monitor the availability of fisheries resources and to understand the livelihood of fisher folk. A set of socioeconomic based questionnaire survey of 4 different fisher folk communities, basic water quality measurement and fish availability monitoring were done to make sense the overall impact situation exists in that area. Basic water quality of Mongla port area were measured carefully and it was fine according to the accepted standard. Total 79 species were recorded from the study area where fresh water and marine fish species under 30 families, 18 species of shrimps under 2 families, 6 species of crabs belong to 4 families and 1 lobster. The unavailability of pure drinking water, unhygienic sanitation, food scarcity during falloff season of fishing, water pollution and drastic declination of fishes are making the livelihood of poor fishers more vulnerable. Poison fishing, Oil pollution, Overexploitation and unethical management of aquatic resources were found to be the key factors for the declination of fishery resources. Some earnest intervention for the fisher folk by the government with the creation of alternative jobs, pure drinking water supply, food and health security establishment are identified.

Keywords: Available Fisheries resources, Demography, Threats, Earnest supplication

Location: Mongla Upazila and Mongla port vicinity of the Sundarbans area

Start Date: 00-12-2014

End Date: 00-06-2015

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Livelihood, Sundarban

Objectives:

However, the port is very important and situated next to the world heritage site the Sundarbans Reserve forest, it plays a hazardous roles for terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity as well as for the surroundings. The vicinity of Mongla port area and livelihood of fisher folk are not well known. Hence, the present study concentrates on the availability of fisheries resources as well as fisher folk’s socioeconomic status with a particular focuses on the impact of anthropogenic stressors and shocks on livelihood and aquatic resources.

Methodology:

The study carried out in Mongla Upazila and Mongla port vicinity of the Sundarbans area from December 2014 to June 2015. Basic water qualities of the study area were monitored such as pH, Salinity, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total dissolved solids (TDS), Electrical conductivity (EC) and water temperature by using pH meter, Refractometer, DO meter and EC meter. The investigated values were compared with the previous studies to understand the existing scenario or any changes. Several routine investigations were done to monitor the availability of fishery resources of Sundarbans along the Mongla port area. The investigations were followed by the monitoring of local fish markets and different places where fishes generally are grounded after being caught by the fishers. To look into the livelihood of fishers, a total of 136 fishermen were interviewed by the structured questionnaire at their houses. The fisher folk survey sites were Dhanmari under Khulna and Joymonighol, Kanainagar, Katakhali, Chila bazar under Bagerhat district of Mongla port area. The final questionnaire included the questions on the socio demographic condition like age, family members, education, medical facilities, drinking water sources, fishing status and factors affecting the level of fish production. The collected fishes were identified by using books such as Fresh water fishes of Bangladesh, Encyclopedia of Flora and fauna of Bangladesh and the fish resources of the Bay of Bengal. The collected data from the study areas were analyzed and then presented in textual, tabular and graphical forms to understand the livelihood status and fisheries resources as well as the constraints of fisher folks.

Source of Information: International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies 2016; 4(3): 468-475

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The fisheries of Sundarbans have been playing an important role in the coastal economy of Bangladesh. The present study found that Poison fishing and Overfishing occurs many species are at risk. The fishery resources are declining alarmingly which are affecting the fisher’s livelihood severely as they are completely dependent on fishery resources with no other ways. So the total insecurity and misery are obvious when the existing catches are fewer than their needs as they have no alternatives to feed their families. Over 3.5 million people are depending directly or indirectly on the resources of Sundarbans for their livelihood and it has been decreasing alarmingly since 20 years ago with obvious impacts on its fish and fisheries [26] . To identify fishery species and to obtain reliable catch data which are associated with mangroves directly or indirectly extensive research is needed. Many authors argue that the world’s mangrove habitats are always under-evaluated. Moreover, there is no sufficient information available in Bangladesh on natural fisheries and even less is fishers and their livelihood. The livelihood and socio-economic condition of the fishers in the area was not good. The fishermen were deprived of many amenities as their education level was so poor. Pure drinking water is the chief identified problem. Good access to basic services, such as health, education, training and capacity building, and infrastructure are needed which would help in developing other skills and in reducing pressure on natural resources in the longer term. Moreover to restore the fish resources and to prevent the depletion of aquatic resources and its habitats, creation of the alternatives are must for the poor fishers. Alternative income generation is vital to lower the pressure on aquatic resources and to make sustainable livelihood security. Earnest supplication of the poor fishers such as pure drinking water, food security, medical facilities and creation of alternatives should be ensured by the help of the government.

Knowledge Management: Journal