Availability and Rational Utilization of Fisheries Resources of the Chalan Beel

Abstract

The present study was carried out during the period from July 2010 to June 2013. Chalan Beel is the largest and most important wetland in the North Central Bangladesh covering an area of about 368 km2 during the monsoon season. The present investigation was carried out to determine existing fisheries status; fish catch composition, fishing seasons, fishing gears and crafts used, fishermen’s socio-economic welfare, and identify the scope of opportunities to evolve existing fisheries management strategies focusing on fish bio-diversity conservation. During the study period, a total of 117 bony fish species (Osteichthyes) under 63 genera, 27 families and 12 orders are identified. From the study area 35 species of fisheries items were recorded under the classes Gastropoda and Pelecypoda (Mollusca), Crustacea (Arthropoda), Amphibia and Reptilia (Chordata). The highest number of fish species thirty eight (38) was identified under the family Cyprinidae and Puntius was the most dominant genus including eight (8) species. The study results indicate at least 27 fish species once considered as abundant but now being classified as threatened. The annual fish production in the Chalan Beel was 11999 tons in 2012, being reduced by 45% of the production observed 30 years back (1982). In the present study, total 36 types of gears including 9 types of net, 11 types of trap, 7 types of hook and line, 7 types of wounding gears and 2 types of FAD (Fish Aggregating Device) were recorded. The maximum and minimum mesh size was found as 4.50±4.27cm and 0.09±0.08cm in Suti jal and Jhaki jal respectively. Highest CPUE (Catch Per Unit Effort) was found for Suti jal (69.2±25.2) and lowest for Khepla jal (3.75±2.61). Illegal fishing gears were found as the major problems in the study area. The annual total landing of various species from the Chalan Beel was recorded. Highest landing was 3673117 kg/yr in Mohisluty fish landing centre (Tarash), and the highest landed species was Pangasius sutchi (434705 kg/yr) in Singra fish landing centre (Singra). The peak fish landing was found in the months of November and December, and the lowest fish landing was recorded in the months of March and April. Five types of marketing channels were identified and the commission agents usually earn at a rate of 3%-4% from the farmers. Most of the fish of the Chalan Beel (nearly about 60%) is locally supplied and 40% is supplied from outside (other parts of Bangladesh). Infrastructure of wholesale and retail fish markets were not adequate with regarding to sales area, packaging, sanitation, water supply, drainage, cleaning, washing and maintenance with an exceptions. In the study period, six (6) Chatals (fish drying area) at Singra, eleven (11) at Tarash and five (5) at Gurudaspur were observed. Each Chatal can give a space for 70-80 maunds of fish for drying. After drying 10-11 kg dry fish are obtained per maund of raw fish. Among the dried products 8-9 kg are of excellent quality and rest 1-2 kg are of low quality. A total 28 species of fishes and fisheries items identified which are used for drying, partly damaged fishes are used. Dry fish farmers usually bought raw fishes from the local markets or landing center. Majority drying were done by spreading raw fishes on bamboo rack without any protection measure from insect or dust. Maximum dried products were carried to Sayadpur (Nilphamary) dry fish wholesale market. It was observed that about 117 different kinds of pesticides were used in the Chalan Beel area. The average pesticides usage in the crop lands within the Chalan Beel was 2.75 kg ha-1 crop -1. Farmers are using chemical fertilizer to meet the increasing demand of food for the excess population and to take economic benefit from land. Poverty is the main problem of Bangladesh. Poverty with rapid population growth compels the people to over exploit natural resources like land and water. The use of chemical fertilizer and exploitation of ground water are increasing gallopingly. It was found that the ground water level of the study area is declining day by day. After six years (2007-2012), the ground water level decline of Singra was 1.47m (39.40%), Tarash 2.17m (43.11%) and Gurudashpur 1.80m (38.70%). Decline of ground water resulted in drying up of the aquifer of the beel along with lowering of its water level. The socio-economic status of the fishermen is very poor. They live from hand to mouth and lack hygiene knowledge, which causes different diseases; they are socially ignored and exploited by power group of people. Most of them are illiterate and few have primary level of education. Their land property is negligible in amount. The earner dependency ratio is 1:3.62 (highest in Gurudaspur). Overall the socio-economic status of the fishermen is very low and fishermen community in the study area is poorer among the poor. The socio-economic status of the fishermen could be developed through increasing education and giving technical support.