Assessment of fish diversity and socio-economic condition of fishermen in Bangladesh

The main objectives of the study were to determine the present status of fish biodiversity and socioeconomic condition of fishermen in Belai beel during February 2016 to September 2016 by survey method using questionnaires, field visit and interviewing with the fishermen. The results indicated that about 27 species of fish fauna were found in the Belai beel, among them 23 species were indigenous and 4 species were exotic. Major dominant species were Rui (Labeo rohita), Catla (Catla catla), Bata (Labeo bata), Shingi (Heteropeneustes fossilis), Magur (Clarius batrachus), Tengra (Mystus tengra), Chanda (Chanda nama), Kakila (Xenentodon cancila), Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Mola (Amblypharyngodon mola) in the study area. During the study period two critically endangered (Puntius sarana, Pangasius pangasius), two endangered (Labeo bata, Channa marulius), and three vulnerable (Chanda nama, Channa orientalis, Notopterus notopterus) fish species were found in the Belai beel. Analysis of socio-economic condition of fishermen showed that maximum (70%) had nuclear family and others (30%) had joint family, as well as fishermen, belonged to the age groups of 31 to 40 years (50%) and the others were 15 to 30 (20%), 41 to 50 (18%), 51 to 60 (10%), 61 to70 (2%). Overall, the present study suggested that fishermen communities should be educated by creating awareness for the proper conservation, management, and enhancement of biodiversity in the Belaibeel.


Introduction
Assessment of fish biodiversity of freshwater resources and socioeconomic condition of fishermen has become a pressing issue for fisheries scientists, fisheries managers, ecologists, environmentalists.The freshwater fisheries resources of Bangladesh are declining day by day due to lack of proper management policy, over-exploitation and the unplanned establishment of dams (FAO, 2009).Moreover, the rapid growth of population and high rate expansion of agricultural activities, unplanned industrial activities are major threats for the freshwater fisheries resources.The freshwater bodies of Bangladesh are considered a home to at least 265 species of fin fishes (Rahman, 2005).The haors, baors, beels,and jheels are of fluvial origin and are commonly identified as freshwater resources (DoF, 2015).Beel is generally rich in fisheries resources.Once, this beel had abundant of native wild fish species, prawn, snail, crabs and turtles.Due to over exploitation and various ecological changes of the beel, some important fish species and turtles have disappeared.The Belaibeel is rich in fisheries resources.Considering the fertility and nutrients, overall ecosystem of the Belaibeel is productive and is inhabited by diversified fauna.The abundance of small native fishes has been declined due to overfishing and deterioration of natural habitat.Freshwater resources play an important role in the socio-economic development of the country.Recently, this sector is providing opportunities for economic as well as social upliftment.Fisheries sector has already been well-known as a vital income and employment-generating sector in Bangladesh, cheap sources of healthy food for the population of the country.Fish supplements to about 60% of our daily animal protein intake.More than 11% of the population is dependent directly and indirectly on the fisheries for their living (DoF, 2015).Owing to massive loss in aquatic biodiversity of freshwater resources, a well-planned and systematic study is required to assess the present status of biodiversity in the Belaibeel of Bangladesh with a view to take an appropriate action to preserve and manage the aquatic fauna.The present study focuses on the abundance, species combination, and related aspects of the Belaibeel.Many fishermen are involved in this beel for their livelihoods.No research has been done before in this beel.The present research was conducted to determine the fish biodiversity, and socio-economic conditions of the fishermen of the Belaibeel at Gazipur district in Bangladesh.

Study area and period
The area of Belai beel is about 8 sq km with an average depth of 9 ft which is located at Kaliganj upazilla of Gazipur district (Figure 1).This study was conducted from February 2016 to September 2016.

Collection of data
Data were collected by using two methods: (a) Questionnaire survey (b) Physical observation.Data was collected by personal interviews through questionnaire.Forty fishermen were selected through random sampling.The primary data were assembled through field survey at the village level by using a well structural questionnaire.Data were collected both by physically observation and interview with fishermen at house, field, fishing place and market.To collect the detail information about the socio-economic conditions of fishermen, several parameters were used like age groups, education level, earners dependent ration etc.

Socio-economic condition of the fishermen in the Belai beel
A total of forty fishermen living at Jelepara were interviewed from various places like house, fishing place, market, and field etc. Wide ranges of indicator were collected in various aspects of socio-economic characteristics.

Educational status of the fishermen
The environment of education in the study area was not good enough.In the study area it was found that 15% of the fishermen passed class V, about 30% fishermen can sign only and 45% were illiterate (Figure 4).The present study was similar with Hossain et al. (2016), Asif et al. (2016).

School going and dropout children of fishermen
From the study, it was found that the number of school going children was 2 per house.It was observed that 54% were school dropout boy and 46% were girl.Due to illiteracy, unconsciousness, economic problem, income generating activities, social and other problems, the children of fishermen dropped out from the school (Figure 5).            Figure 14.The recreational accessories of the fishermen.

Income and living standard
The incomes of the fishermen were not so good.The only source of income of fishermen is selling fish.From the interviews, it was found that the highest income of the fishermen from selling fish was Tk. 350/day and the lowest income Tk.300/day.Moreover, every year many people are getting involved in fishing as a seasonal or part time occupation.As a result, fishing pressure is continuously increasing in this beel.The study showed that 20% fishermen's yearly income was found to be Tk.50000-70000, 48% fishermen's yearly income was between Tk.71,000-1,00,000 and 32% fishermen's yearly income was found > Tk.1,00,000 annually (Figure 6).The present study supports the previous studies of Alam (2005) and Dev (2011).
3.9.Occupational status of the fisherman Among the subsistence fishermen 25% were engaged to agricultural work, 15% were day labourer, 4% were engaged in business, 6% were rickshaw puller.It was found that 50% fishermen were professional, 50% were part time fishermen (Figure 7).This result is similar to the other authors Bhaumik and Saha (1994).

Sanitation
In the study area 30% fishermen had sanitary latrine for defecation, 20% used semi-pacca latrine and 40% used kacha latrine.However, 10% fishermen do not have any latrine and they defecated beside the bank of the beel and agricultural land (Figure 8).

Nature of disease treatment of the fishermen
During the survey period of the 40 respondents, 33(82%) fishermen went to village doctor for getting their treatment, 3(8%) took homeopath treatment, 2 (5%) went to Govt.medical hospital and 2 (5%) received treatment from local private practitioner having M.B.B.S (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) (Figure 10).

Earners-Dependent ratio and credit operation
The earning-depending ratio of the fishermen household is 1:2.3 (Table 2 and Figure 11).In the study area it was found that 25% fishermen borrowed money from the neighbours.20% borrowed money from Grameen Bank by giving mortgage either land or household properties, 30% took loan from local NGO`s (ASA, BRAC etc.) and 25% did not take any loan (Figure 12).

Landed properties and recreational accessories of the fishermen
Of the total 40 fishermen 20% was landless, 35% having land between 1-5 katha, 15% having land between 6-10 katha, 16% having land between 11-15 katha, 14% having land above 15 katha (Figure 13).The fishermen and their children usually enjoy various types of traditional games and sports like Kabadi, Boat race etc.Besides some of the fishermen have various modern electronic and non-electronic accessories for their recreation.Among 40 fishermen some of the fishermen have various modern electronic and non-electronic accessories for their recreation.26% of the fishermen do not have any electronic accessories, while 35% have only Radio, 6% have cassette player, 20% have only television, 10% have both Radio and television, and 3% have radio, television and cassette player (Figure 14).

Conclusions
Freshwater resources are invaluable components of the environment, ecology, resource potential and biodiversity in Bangladesh.They are integral part of the local ecosystem based cultures.The fish production from natural resources sharply depleted in recent years due to indiscriminate fishing.The present study revealed that the Belai beel has 27 fish species but the socioeconomic condition of the fisherman was not good.
Based on the present findings, the following recommendations can be made for overall enhancement of fish biodiversity in the Belai beel like as fish act should be implemented properly, stop the catching of fishes during breeding season and fishermen communities should be educated.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Percentage of different fish groups.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Age group distribution of fishermen of the Belai beel.

Figure 4 .Figure 5 .
Figure 4. Educational status of the studied fishermen of the Belai beel.

Figure 6 .
Figure 6.Yearly income status of the fishermen of the Belai beel.

Figure 8 .Figure 9 .
Figure 8.The sanitation status of the fishermen of the Belai beel.

Figure 10 .
Figure 10.The nature of treatment taken by the fishermen.

Figure 12 .
Figure 12.The credit system of the fishermen.

Figure 13 .
Figure 13.The land properties of fishermen.