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Fishers Access to the Common Property Waterbodies in the Northern Region of Bangladesh

Md. Amzad Hossain
Department of Aquaculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur-1706,

Mousumi Das
Department of Aquaculture, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur-1706

Md. Shahanoor Alam
Department of Genetics and Fish Breeding, BSMRAU, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh

Md. Enamul Haque
Department of Agriculture Extension and Rural development, BSMRAU, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was designed to explore the status of fishers’ access to the common property water bodies (CPW) and associated problems of using CPW. Three upazillas (administrative units) of the Northern region of Bangladesh were selected for the empirical study. Data were collected from fishers, non-fishers and other stakeholders through structured interview schedules, physical observation, and participatory rural appraisal (PRA). The access of poor fishers group to the CPW was very limited in the study area. The government policy of revenue collection through leasing system badly affected the fishers group as they do not have required level of capital, unity, leadership and education. A revenue oriented fisheries management system with short lease periods was found to encourage over-fishing and destructive fishing by lessees, where the lessees were noted to sweep away all the fish stock as soon as their contract ended without considering the sustainable use of resource and biodiversity. Consequently, the productivity of the CPW is declining gradually. To ensure the effective access of fishers’ group to CPW and their sustainable use, an advised long-term community based management (CBM) plan needs to be developed with the effective participation of the fishers’ groups and other stakeholders.

Keywords: Fishers, Access, Common property, Waterbody, Biodiversity

Location: Lalmonirhat, Kurigram and Rangpur

Start Date: 00-00-2014

End Date: 00-00-2014

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Non-commodity: Seasonality in production

Objectives:

1. To explore the empirical picture of fishers’ access to the CPW and their provident consequences in adversely poverty affected Northern region of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Study area and sampling frame - In the present study government owned waterbodies, which can be accessed or should be accessed by common people free of cost or on lease basis, are considered as CPW (river, flood plain, beel, pond etc.). Data were collected from villages adjacent to the selected CPW under three upazillas (administrative unit) of the northern region of Bangladesh. Data collection methods - The study was conducted through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), survey, monitoring, discussion and consultation among the resource users and stakeholders. Two interview schedules were used for data collection. One was for fishers, non-fishers, and another for different stakeholders including upazilla and district level Personnel of MoL, Department of Fisheries and Ministry of Youth and Sports. Fishers and nonfishers in the study area were selected through simple random sampling method. Fishermen were interviewed at home and or fishing sites. In a given day approximately five to seven interviews were conducted where each interview schedule for fishermen was addressed the issue of fishing activities, access to CPW and their problems relating to access. PRA tool such as focus group discussion (FGD) was done with fisher and non-fisher groups in the study areas. Nine FGD sessions, three from each location, were conducted, where each group had 10 to 14 people. FGD sessions were held in front of village shops and on the bank of CPW. Secondary data were collected from relevant upazilla and district level Govt. offices, statistical yearbook, project reports, scientific articles and websites. Data processing and analysis - Data from various sources were coded and entered into database system using Microsoft excel and analyzed though simple statistical methods.

Source of Information: Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 2, No. 1, April 2015: 125-133; ISSN : P-2409-0603, E-2409-9325

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Fishers could not benefit from Government policy regarding CPW and the new policy could not ensure leasing access due to lack of education, capital, unity, and leadership. In the present situation of Bangladesh complete open access to CPW was found unproductive. In open access system, fish stock declined drastically due to illegal and over fishing. Moreover, the current leasing system was found ineffective. Leasing of CPW should primarily be a means of controlling access to water bodies to ensure sustainable management and not a system to raise government revenue. All management of CPW must be subjected to the preparation and implementation of a regulatory plan with the participation of fisher and user communities through CBM strategies. However, if the CPW properly utilized by the poor fisher it may contribute significantly to their income generation and nutrition security, thus will help to ensure food security of extremely poverty affected areas at the Northern region of Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal