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Present Status of Fishes in the Chalan Beel-the Largest Beel (wetland) of Bangladesh

S.M. Galib
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshah-6205, Bangladesh

M.A. Samad*
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshah-6205, Bangladesh

A.B.M. Mohsin
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshah-6205, Bangladesh

F.A. Flowra
Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshah-6205, Bangladesh

M.T. Alam
Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshah-6205, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Present status of fish species in the Chalan beel- the largest beel (Wetland) of Bangladesh, was studied from August 2006 to September 2007. Field survey was carried out in over 15 spots under 9 Upazila namely Natore Sadar, SIngra, Baraigram, Gurudaspur in Natire district; Chatmohor and Bhangura in Pabna district; Nandigram in Bogra; Atrai in Naogaon and Tarash in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. A total of 81 fish species including 72 indigenous and 9 exotic species were recorded under 12 fish orders, 27 families and 59 genera. Availability of a maximum of 46% fish species were ranked as low followed by common (23%), abundant (17%), rare (9%) and very rare (5%). Twelve (12) types of fishing nets, 5 types of traps, 6 types of hooks and lines, 4 types of wounding gears and 2 FADs were recorded from the beel used for harvesting fishes. Illegal and overfishing using illegal fishes gears were found as the major problems in the study areas.

Keywords: Chalan beel, Beel fishes, Fish diversity, Fishing gear

Location: Chalan beel is the largest beel (wetland) situated in the north western region of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Fisheries diversity

Objectives:

The present study was carried out aimed at discovering the fish diversity and their status in the Chalan beel.

Methodology:

Location and description of the Chalan beel: The legendary Chalan beel is the largest beel (wetland) situated in the north western region of Bangladesh, with an area of more than 350 km² during rainy season and about 90 km2 during dry season. Most areas of Chalan beel are flooded land and consist of numerous small beels and canals. Several rivers and their tributaries form a dense water network over the entire beel area. During the rainy season, the entire Chalan beel fills with water and creates a breeding ground for many native fish species (Galib and Samad, 2009). The big-size depressions (i.e. beels) are mostly in Pabna district. They are Gajna, Bara, Sonapatila, Ghugudaha, Chiral and Gurka (Alam and Hossain, 2003). Study time and spots: This study was conducted during September 2006 to August 2007. To carry out the present study more than 15 spots of Chalan beel under 9 Upazila of 5 districts were selected. These spots were Atrai upazila (Naogaon); Natore Sadar, Singra, Baraigram, Gurudaspur (Natore); Chatmohor, Bhangura (Pabna); Nandigram (Bogra); and Tarash (Sirajganj) Upazila. Survey spots include different fishing spots of the beel, various fish landing centers and fish markets adjacent to Chalan beel. The study spots were selected in such a way that these spots cover all the major areas of Chalan beel. Study on fishes: Available fishes of the Chalan beel were collected and preserved in leveled plastic jars using 10% formalin solution and their availability status and utilization were noted based on the information provided by the fishermen engaged in fishing in Chalan beel and direct observations. Identification was made after Bhuiyan (1964), Rahman (1989 and 2005) and Talwar and Jhingran (1991). Based on the taxonomic position provided by fishbase (http://www.fishbase.org), found fishes were grouped systematically under different families. Fishing gears used to catch fishes were recorded through direct observation during the survey period. Availability fishes of the beel were categorized as very rare (1-10 individuals were recorded from specific 1 to 2 study spots), rare (seldom found species but not very rare, recorded species was 11 to 100 in number), low (not very rare or rare but available at a low density and recorded from not more than 12 spots), common (recorded from almost all the study spots and was not so abundant) and abundant (frequently available species and a large amount of catch were made).

Source of Information: International Journal of Animal and Fisheries Science 2(3): 214-218, June 2009 ISSN: 1997-2598, www.gscience.net

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

A total of 81 fish species including 72 indigenous and 9 exotic species were recorded under 12 fish orders, 27 families and 59 genera. Availability of maximum 46% fish species was ranked as low followed by common (23%), abundant (17%), rare (9%) and very rare (5%). Twelve (12) types of fishing nets, 5 types of traps, 6 types of hooks and lines, 4 types of wounding gears and 2 FADs were recorded from the beel used for harvesting fishes. Illegal and overfishing using illegal fishes gears were found as the major problems in the study areas.

Knowledge Management: Journal