The Performance-Evaluation of Fisheries Sector of Bangladesh 1.1 Introduction : Bangladesh is an agrarian country. Among of the South Asian Countries, It enjoys a very favourable climatic condition for fisheries. Being situated in the deltaic plain of 3 major river systems of the sub-continent - the Ganges, the Jamuna, and the Meghna - it is relatively rich in water resources. Monsoon rains and floods create favourable conditions for fisheries though floods sometimes bring miseries to people. Fisheries is a non-crop sub-sector of the Agriculture. It plays a very important role in our economy and other socio-economic conditions. It contributes about 22.23% in agricultural sector and 3.74% to national GDP. It contributes about 2.70% to the total foreign exchange earning, provides full time job to 1.4 million professional fishermen, and about 10% of the total labour force, this way or other, is connect with fisheries. Fisheries provide about 58% of animal protein in our daily diet. Rural people prefer fish to meat because of its local and easy availability, and also for its low costs. The whole of the fisheries sector employs about 1.20 million people who are directly or indirectly dependent on fishing, fish farming, fish processing etc. This figure is about 10% of the total population of the country. Out of the total about 7.70 lakh are inland fishermen for whole time fishing or subsistence fishing, 5.10 lakh are marine fishermen, about 5000-6000 are in the processing industry (both regular and casual) and about 11.55 lakh in shrimp farming, fry, collection, crab and frog collection, dry and dehydrated fish industry and in fish carrier boats. 1.2 Statement of the Problem: Bangladesh is an agro based reverie country. But it has large population with limited resources. It must be explored how the existing resources including fisheries production and contribution to be modified. For this reason I try my best to reveal the performance-evaluation of fisheries in our economy. Because we should keep in mind that fisheries sector still offers scope for increased production, employment and income generation. Invest in fisheries means investment for the poor and investment for the development of Bangladesh. 1.3
Objectives of the Study: i.
To know about area of inland water resource of Bangladesh.
ii.
To explore the scenario of fish resources in Bangladesh.
iii.
To know about provides animal protein in our daily life.
iv.
Contribution of fisheries sector in GDP.
v.
The total employment of rural people in fisheries sector.
vi.
Income from the fisheries sector.
vii. To improve productivity of fisheries. viii. To improve the quality of fisheries. ix.
To improve disease resistance variety.
x.
To impress fish quality as expected for marketing.
2. Fisheries Resources & Potentials, Inland & Marine Fisheries, Aquaculture, Various Fishes & Fishing System. 2.1 The Scenario of Fisheries Resources and Their Potentials : Fisheries of Bangladesh consists of (i) Inland Open Water Fisheries – river and river estuaries, flood plains, beel and haors, Kaptai reservoir, (ii) Closed Water Fisheries - ponds, oxbow lakes or baors, brackish water (shrimp farms) and (iii) Marine Fisheries. Categories’ of fisheries resources (Figure-1) are shown below : A. Inland Open Water Fisheries: i) Rivers and river estuaries ii) Flood Plains iii) Beel and haors iv) Kaptai reservoir. B.
Closed Water Fisheries: i) Ponds ii) Ox-bow lakes or baurs iii) Brackish Water (Shrimp farms)
C.
Marine water: i) Coastline 480 km. ii) Exclusive Economic Zone (200 miles)
Production of inland water fish has fallen sharply. In the early seventies about 75% of total fish catch used to come from inland water which has now come to 49% (5.7 lac m. ton). Culture of fish in ponds, on the other hand, has shown some upward trend, and there is scope for further increase in this area. Production of marine fisheries has also shown some rise in production. Marinecatch, though now accounts for 25% of total catch, still there is a big prospect of further production increase. Source-wise fish production of the country. Figure -1: Category wise Fisheries Resources. A. Inland Open water fisheries :
area in ha. (000)
% of total inland water area
a. Rivers and River Esturies
10,13,563
24.56%
b. Flood plains
28,32,079
65%
c. Beel Haors
1,14,161
2.90%
d. Reservoir (kaptai lake)
68,000
1.63%
a. Ponds
1,47,000
3.5%
b. Oxbow lake and baour
5,488
0.13%
c. Brakish water shrimp farm
1,40,000
3%
C. Marine Fisheries
16,60,000
79% *
B. Inland closed water fisheries
Source DOF * of total water area. The major portion of fisheries resources are marine fisheries about 79% of total water area. Though in the earlier Inland Closed water fisheries were the major due to many natural and social hazardous, it is now radically dropped or fallen. Fisheries resources of flood plains in Inland Open water is 65% higher than others water area.
The total fish production of inland water by district of Bangladesh is also illustrated with following map : According to the FRSS report, the large amount of fish production area are Narayangonj, Comilla and Chittagong. It also right that large area of Bangladesh are empty of fish production in large amount, but the good thing is most of the district are resourceful with production. Now we will see the district and Division-wise annual total production of inland water, 2009-10.
According to the above Figure, we see that Comilla district is in highest position in production of inland water fishes. Whereas, Chuadanga district is in lowest position. We also see that Dhaka Division is in highest position in production of inland water fishes and Chittagong division is in second highest position in production of inland water fishes. On the other hand , Sylhet division is in lowest position in production of inland water fishes. 2.2 Inland Capture Fisheries : This sub-sector is made up of large, medium and small floodplains, lakes, beels, and rivers. Developmental issues in this sub-sector include environmental and habitat degradation; lack of good information about the ecology, biology, migration routes, and breeding habits of fish; water pollution; overfishing; inadequate institutional incentives to integrate fisheries into water management in flood control and road projects; access to and management of a common property resource; conflicts between fish and crop production; and cost recovery for public expenditure. The major environmental threat to inland capture fisheries is considered to be the flood control, water management, and road embankments. There are inadequate institutional arrangements and commitment to integrate fisheries into the planning and operation of these projects. The present expansion of aquaculture and culture-based techniques to increase fish production, have compensated for some loss in production. These measures do not fully alleviate the problems of subsistence part-time fishermen, who have traditionally been able to provide fish (often the only source of protein, essential minerals, and vitamins) for their families through open access fishing from the declining resources of floodplain fisheries. Stocking floodplains with fingerlings, combined with improved fisheries management, has proved to be an effective mitigation measure, but the sustainability of such initiatives depends on the existence of effective cost sharing/recovery mechanisms. Also, recent results from a study on fish passes through water control embankments have shown cost effective impact on fisheries and positive impacts on biodiversity. 2.3 Inland Freshwater Aquaculture : Many ponds and some ox-bow lakes have not been brought under aquaculture. Some of the constraints are biological or technological while others are cultural, sociopolitical or legal. Some ponds may not be suitable for aquaculture (suitability depends on soil type, weather conditions, size, depth and water holding capacity). Tenurial/ownership problems also constrain the development of some ponds. The problems include multiple ownership of ponds, other uses of pond water, inability of close supervision of pond activities, and ineffectiveness of the extension system. The current system of leasing public water bodies does not provide incentives for efficient management of the recourses. There are also problems * of inadequate security and poaching, and various types of pollution from urbanization, industrialization, and intensification in aquaculture. ,
2.4 Shrimp and Brackish Water Aquaculture : Shrimp farming raises many environmental, biodiversity, and social issues. The issues include conflicts between shrimp and rice cultivation; occasional violent conflicts over land tenure and use rights; encroachment on mangrove forests; loss of biodiversity due to seed collection; exploitation of poor small rice farmers by rich and powerful shrimp farmers; shortage of quality seed; negative impact on the natural stocks of shrimp and fish in the long run; non-existence of quality control procedures for screening imported post larvae for diseases; choice of technology; outbreak of shrimp diseases; and cost recovery. In coastal areas, brackish water needed for shrimp cultivation, if not properly 'separated from neighboring fields, can pollute adjacent paddy fields and degrade the soils, making them in some cases unfit for crop production and setting up conflicts between shrimp and rice cultivation. Since shrimp production is very profitable and private profitability is higher than social profitability, the beneficiaries should be able to meet both capital investment and 0 &M costs in full. Given the consequences of recent serious shrimp disease outbreaks, and the rapidly changing shrimp technology, there is a need for constant update of knowledge and for changing of technological and organizational recommendations. There is a need to formulate coastal land use policy, which may involve classifying and demarcating lands based on their tidal inundation, soil qualities, water salinities, and existing regulations (e.g., in the case of mangroves) into various zones for extension purposes and guidance in order to avoid environmental degradation and social conflicts. 2.5 Marine Fisheries : There is limited knowledge about the marine fisheries sub-sector. For example, there is inadequate knowledge about the stock of fish, fish habitats, fish behavior, and sustainable yields. Large post harvest losses are reported due to inadequate landing and processing facilities. The economics of sustainability of collecting "trash" fish and using them for human consumption or as fish meal for animal feed have not been determined. The sub-sector is also constrained by lack of proper management policy for the conservation of the resources. There are gear and area conflicts between artisanal and industrial fishermen. There are also reports of sea piracy. However, Now we will observe the total production and area productivity’s by sector of fisheries for July, 2009-June, 2010.
According to the figure, first column shows various sector of fisheries, second column shows water area ( in hector), third column shows total catch of fish (in metric ton) and the last column shows catch/area (in kg/hector). It is easily realize that though the above figure, total catch of inland fisheries is 21,86,726 (metric ton) which is more than marine fisheries. This production is also illustrated by the following pie-chart:
The above chart shows that the total catch of inland fisheries is more than marine fisheries. The production of fish according to the sector of fisheries capture and culture is almost same/ near about that is 42% and 39% respectively in inland areas. In Marine fisheries production is 19% and most of them are artisanal Fisheries. The sum total of catching fisheries in our country is 27,01,370 (metric ton), according to the sector of fisheries. 2.6 List of fishes in Bangladesh: Bangladesh is a country with hundreds of rivers and ponds and is notable for being a fish-loving nation, acquiring the name "Machh-e Bhat-e Bangali" which means, "Bengali by fish and rice". Ilish is the national fish of the country where it contributes 13% of country's total fish production. Fish are caught both from natural resources and by farming in self-made ponds. Namein Common English Status Scientific Name Picture Local Bangladesh name Bengali name আড Ar native Giant river-catfish Sperata aor এলং Along native Bengala barb Megarasbora elanga Angra labeo
এংরট
native
Anju
আনজু
native
Zebrafish
Danio rerio
Arwari
আরওয়ারির
native
Menoda catfish
Hemibagrus menoda
Baghair
বারগারইর/বারঘার native ইর
Dwarf goonch
Bagarius bagarius
Bai-la
বারইলার
native
Baim
বারইম
native
Boitka
বইটকার
native
Balichura
বারিলচু রার
native
Balitora minnow
Balichura
বারিলচু রার
endemic
Rainbow minnow Psilorhynchus gracilis
Bamush
বারমুশ
native
Bengal eel
Ophisternon bengalense
Bane-hara
বারেনহাররার
native
Indian mottled eel
Anguilla bengalensis bengalensis
Bansh-pata/Debari
বারনসপারর
native
Devario devario
Bansh-pata/Bati
বারনসপারটার /বারটার
native
Barali
বাররারিল
native
Sind danio Broad-mouthed mullet/Largescaled mullet Barred baril
Baril/Joiya
Hamilton's barila
Barilius bendelisis
Bata/Bangna
বারিরল/ৈজয়ার native বারটার/বারংনার native
Reba
Labeo ariza
Bata
বারটার
native
Bata
Labeo bata
Batasi
বারতারিস
native
Indian potasi
Neotropius atherinoides
Bechi
পঁারচ োচারেখ,োবিচ
native
Whitespot/Blue panchax
Aplocheilus panchax
Bele
োবেল
native
Scribbled goby
Awaous grammepomus
Bele
োবেল
native
Tank goby
Glossogobius giuris
Bhadi puti
ভারিদ পুঁি
native
Pool barb
Puntius sophore
Bhangan
ভারঙারন/ভারঙ্গার native ন
Boga labeo
Labeo boga
Bhetki
োভটিক
native
Bhol
োভারল
native
Barramundi/Barra Lates calcarifer mundi perch Trout barb Raiamas bola
Kuli/Bhut bele
কুলিল/ভূ ত োবেল
native
Dusky sleeper
Eleotris fusca
Bilchuri
িবলচু ির
native
Mottled loach
Acanthocobitis botia
Boal
োবারয়ারল
native
Wallago
Wallago attu
Borguni
োবাররগুনিন
native
Jarbua terapon
Terapon jarbua
Bou/Rani
োবৌমারছ/রারিন native
Bengal loach
Botia dario
Labeo angra
Awaous guamensis Zig-zag track eel
eel/Tire
Mastacembelus armatus Labeo pangusia Psilorhynchus balitora
Paramugil parmatus Barilius barila
Namein Status Local Bangladesh name Bengali োবৌমারছ/রারিন questionable Bou mach োবৌমারছ/রারিন native Bou mach মুরারির Murari native
Common English Scientific Name name Hora loach Botia dayi Reticulate loach
Botia lohachata
Carplet
Aspidoparia morar
Magor/Shing
মারগুনর/িশং মারছ
native
Gong Tengra
গং োটংরার
native
Gagata gagata
Magor/Shing
মারগুনর/িশং মারছ
native
Gagata youssoufi
Chondon Ilish
চন্দনার/চন্দন native ইিলশ
Chapila
চারিপলার
native
Chapila
চারিপলার
native
Ganges River Gonialosa manmina Gizzard Shad Indian River Shad Gudusia chapra
Chebli
োচবিল
native
Giant Danio
Cheka
োচকার
native
Chela
োচলার
questionable
Chela
োচলার
native
Chela
োচলার
native
Chenua
োচনুয়ার
native
Squarehead Catfish Chaca chaca Silver razorbelly Salmostoma acinaces minnow Large razorbelly Salmostoma bacaila minnow Finescale Salmostoma phulo razorbelly minnow Sisor Catfish Sisor rabdophorus
Chep chela/Laubucha
োচপ native োচলার/লারউবুচার
Chewa
োচওয়ার
native
Chitol
িচতল
native
Clown Knifefish
Foli/Chitol
ফলিল
native
Bronze featherback Notopterus notopterus
Chuna
চু নার
native
Honey gourami
Chunobele
চু েনারেবেল
native
Common carp
কমন কারপর
introduced
Dahuk
ডারহুক
native
Dahuk
ডারহুক
native
Dari (fish)
ডারির
native
Darkina
দাররিকনার
native
Flying barb
Esomus danricus
Darkina
দাররিকনার
native
Slender rasbora
Rasbora daniconius
Darkina
দাররিকনার
native
Dhal magor
ঢারল মারগুনর
native
Gangetic Rasbora rasbora scissortail rasbora Glyptothorax telchitta
Ek thouta
এক োথারতার
questionable
Wrestling halfbeak Dermogenys pusilla
Gechua
োগছু য়ার
native
Gechua
োগছু য়ার
native
Gagla
গারগলার
native
Walking snakehead Gagora catfish
Gong magor
গং মারগুনর
native
Gray eel-catfish
Gong tengra
গং োটংরার
native
Gagata cenia
Gong tengra
গং োটংরার
native
Gogangra viridescens
Indian catfish
torrent
Toli shad
Amblyceps mangois
Tenualosa toli
Devario aequipinnatus
Indian Glass Barb Chela laubuca Pseudapocryptes elongatus Chitala chitala
Trichogaster chuna
Gobiopterus chuno Common carp
Cyprinus carpio carpio
Boddart's goggleBoleophthalmus boddarti eyed goby Walking goby Scartelaos histophorus Schistura scaturigina
Channa gachua Channa orientalis Arius gagora Plotosus canius
Picture
Namein Status Local Bangladesh name Bengali গং োটংরার Gong tengra native গুনলসার/গুনলসারোটংরার/কারবারিশ native Kabashi Tengra োটংরার
Common English Scientific Name name Nangra nangra Gangetic mystus
Mystus cavasius
Ghor poi-ya
ঘর ৈপয়ার
native
Sucker head
Garra gotyla gotyla
Ghonia
ঘিনয়ার
native
Boggut labeo
Labeo boggut
Ghor poa
ঘড োপারয়ার
native
Garra annandalei
Ghora chela
োঘারডার োচলার
native
Securicula gora
Ghora mach
োঘারডার মারছ
native
Labeo dyocheilus
Gilipunti
িগিল পুঁি
native
Gobi (fish)
োবেল
native
Goti poa
োগারি োপারয়ার native
Largescale archerfish
Toxotes chatareus
Gozar
গজারর
native
Great snakehead
Channa marulius
Grass carp
গরারস কারপর
not established Grass carp
Gura tengra
গুনরার োটঙ্গরার
native
Gutum
গুনতু ম
native
Annandale loach
Gutum
গুনতু ম
native
Guntea loach
Hatchetfish
Golden barb
Puntius gelius Apocryptes bato
native
Ctenopharyngodon idella Chandramara chandramara Lepidocephalichthys annandalei Lepidocephalichthys guntea Chela cachius
Ilish
ইিলশ
native
Hilsa shad
Tenualosa ilisha
Jaya
জয়ার
native
Jaya
Aspidoparia jaya
Kechhki
োকচিক
native
Ganges river sprat Corica soborna
Kechhki
োকচিক
native
Yellowtail mullet Sicamugil cascasia
Kajuli
কারজুিল
native
Gangetic ailia
Ailia coila
Kajuli
কারজুিল
native
Jamuna ailia
Ailiichthys punctata
Kakila
কারিকলার
native
Freshwater garfish Xenentodon cancila
Kalibaus
কারলবারউস
native
Orange-fin labeo
Labeo calbasu
Kachon punti
কারেচারন পুঁি native
Rosy barb
Puntius conchonius
Kani pabda
কারিন পারবদার native
Butter catfish
Ompok bimaculatus
Kani tengra
কারিন োটংরার
native
Kani tengra
কারিন োটংরার
native
Kani tengra
কারিন োটংরার
native
Karati hangar
করারিত হারঙর native
Glyptothorax cavia Painted catfish
Pseudolaguvia ribeiroi Pseudolaguvia shawi
Knifetooth sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata
Picture
Namein Status Local Bangladesh name Bengali খারতারল পারতার native Kathal pata
Common English Scientific Name name Pan sole Brachirus pan
Katol
কারতল
native
Catla
Catla catla
Kawai'in
কই
native
Climbing perch
Anabas testudineus
Keti (fish)
োখি
native
Khailsha
োখারলেস
native
Khaksa
খারকসার
native
Kharu
খারর
native
Rice-paddy eel
Pisodonophis boro
Khorsula
োখারসুলার
native
Corsula
Rhinomugil corsula
Koi
ৈক
native
Walking catfish
Clarias batrachus
Koi
ৈক
native
Climbing perch
Anabas testudineus
Koirka
োকারয়কার
native
Koitor
কয়েটারর
native
Koksa
ককসার
native
Barilius shacra
Koksa
ককসার
native
Barilius vagra
Kosuati
োকারসুয়ারি
native
Oreichthys cosuatis
Kuchia
কুলিচয়ার
native
Cuchia
Monopterus cuchia
Kuli (fish)
খুিল
native
Duckbill sleeper
Butis butis
Kumirer khil
কুলিমেরর িখল native
Kumirer khil
কুলিমেরর িখল native
Kumirer khil Kursha (fish)
কুলিমেরর িখল native কুলরসার native
Kuta kanti
কুলি কারনি
native
Kutakanti
কুলি কারনি
native
Erethistes hara
Kutakanti
কুলি কারনি
native
Erethistes jerdoni
Kutakanti
কুলি কারনি
native
Erethistes pusillus
Lal kholisha
লারল োখারলেস native
Lomba chanda
লমবার চারন্দার
native
Madhu pabda
মধু পারবদার
native
Magur
মারগুনর
introduced
Minor carp Mola punti
মলার পুি ঁ
native native
Glass-barb
Mola
মলা
native
Indian carplet
Mola
মলা
native
Mola carplet
Mrigol Muri bacha Muribacha Nandil Napte koi Neftani
মৃেগল মুিরবাচা মুিরবাচা নানিডল েনপিট কই েনফেটিন
native native native native native native
Mrigal
Nilotica
েতলািপয়া
introduced
Nile tilapia
Nodoi Nuna bailla
নডয় নুনা েবেল
native native
Gangetic leaffish
Nuna-tengra
নুনা টয ্াঙ্গরা native
Olive danio
native
Osteobrama cotio cotio Banded gourami
Colisa fasciata Barilius barna
Schistura corica Coitor croaker
Johnius coitor
Ichthyocampus carce Crocodile-tooth pipefish Deocata pipefish
Microphis cuncalus Microphis deocata
Kalabans
Sinilabeo dero
Conta catfish
Conta conta
Dwarf gourami Colisa lalia Elongate glassChanda nama perchlet Pabdah catfish Ompok pabda African catfish / North African Clarias gariepinus catfish
Garua Bachcha Badis Frail gourami
Long catfish
whiskers
Crossocheilus latius Puntius guganio Amblypharyngodon microlepis Amblypharyngodon mola Cirrhinus cirrhosus Eutropiichthys murius Clupisoma garua Labeo nandina Badis badis Ctenops nobilis Oreochromis niloticus niloticus Nandus nandus Brachygobius nunus Mystus gulio Danio dangila
Picture
Namein Local Bangladesh name Bengali
Status
Common English Scientific Name name
Pabda catfish
পাবদা
native
Pabo catfish
Panga Pangas
native native
Java loach Pangio oblonga Yellowtail catfish Pangasius pangasius
native
Barred spiny eel
Pathar chata
পঙ্গা পাঙ্গাস পনকাল বাইম পাঠার চাটা
Phasa (fish)
ফশা
questionable
Punti (fish) Punti (fish)
Gangetic hairfin Setipinna phasa anchovy Himalayan glassy েফাপা চান্দা native Pseudambassis baculis perchlet ফুটিন পুঁিট native Spottedsail barb Puntius phutunio েপায ় া native Pama croaker Otolithoides pama Somileptus native Gongota loach gongota পটকা native Green pufferfish Tetraodon fluviatilis Periophthalmodon েবেল native Giant mudskipper schlosseri Lepidocephalichthys পুয়া native Burmese loach berdmorei Lepidocephalichthys পুয়া native Loktak loach irrorata পুঁিট native Swamp barb Puntius chola পুঁিট native Puntio barb Puntius puntio
Putitor mohashoul
মহােশাল
native
Mohashoul Rajputi Ranga chanda
মহােশাল native রাজ পুঁিট introduced রাঙ্গা চান্দা native
Rata boura
রাটা বউরা
native
Rita (fish) River catfish
িরটা
native native
Tor Tor Java barb Barbonymus gonionotus Indian glassy fish Parambassis ranga Purple spaghettiMoringua raitaborua eel Rita Rita rita Eutropiichthys vacha
Rui
রুই
native
Rohu
Labeo rohita
Sapla pata
শাপলা পাটা native
Dasyatis zugei
Savon khorka Shada ghonia Shankhachii Shillong (fish) |িশলঙ্গ Shingi Shoul
শভন েখারকা native সাদা ঘিনয়া native শনকািচ native native Silond catfish িশঙ্গ native েশাল native
Pale-edged stingray
Shorpunti
শরপুঁিট
Silver carp
Pankal baim
Phopa chanda Phutani punti Poa (fish) Poia |েপায ় া Potka Pug-headed mud skipper Puiya Puiya
native
native
Ompok pabo
Macrognathus pancalus Barilius tileo
Golden mahseer
Kuria labeo Banded eagle ray Silonia silondia Stinging catfish Snakehead murrel
Tor putitora
Schistura savona Labeo gonius Aetomylaeus nichofii Heteropneustes fossilis Channa striata
Olive barb
Puntius sarana
িসলভার কাপর ্ introduced
Silver carp
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Snake eel
কুইচা
native
Longfin snake-eel
Pisodonophis cancrivorus
Stripped dwarf catfish Suncush Suncush
native শুনকুশ শুনকুশ
questionable native
Mystus tengara Dwarf whipray Cowtail stingray
Himantura walga Pastinachus sephen
Picture
Namein Local Bangladesh name Bengali Taki (fish) টািক Tapse
তপেশ
native
Tara baim Tengra Tengra Tengra
েটরা বাইম েটংরা টয ্াঙ্গরা টয ্াঙ্গরা
native native native native
Tengra
টয ্াঙ্গরা
native
Tepa
টয ্াপা
native
Teri punti
েটরা পুঁনিট
native
Common English Scientific Name Picture name Spotted snakehead Channa punctata Mango Fish / Sarotherodon Cichlid melanotheron heudelotii Lesser spiny eel Macrognathus aculeatus Batasio batasio Batasio tengana Day's mystus Mystus bleekeri Striped dwarf Mystus vittatus catfish Ocellated Tetraodon cutcutia pufferfish Onespot barb Puntius terio
Tiashol
িটয়ােশাল
native
Barca snakehead
Channa barca
Tilapia
েতলািপয়া
introduced
টাটাির মহােশার উিট
native native native Tor mahseer
Mozambique tilapia Ticto barb River stone carp Tor mahseer Chaguni
Oreochromis mossambicus Puntius ticto Psilorhynchus sucatio Tor tor Chagunius chagunio
Tit punti Titari Utii
Status native
2.7 Fishing in Bangladesh: Bangladesh being a first line littoral state of the Indian Ocean has a very good source of marine resources in the Bay of Bengal. The country has an exclusive economic zone of 41,000 square miles (110,000 km 2), which is 73% of the country’s land area. On the other hand, Bangladesh is a small and developing country overloaded with almost unbearable pressure of human population. In the past, people of Bangladesh were mostly dependent upon land-based proteins. But, the continuous process of industrialization and urbanization consumes the limited land area. Now there is no other way than to harvest the vast under water protein from the Bay of Bengal, which can meet the country's demand.
Villagers fishing in Sylhet, Bangladesh More than 80 percent of the animal protein in the Bangladeshi diet comes from fish. Fish accounted for 6 percent of GDP in the fiscal year of 1970, nearly 50 percent more than modern industrial manufacturing at that time. Most commercial fishermen are low-caste Hindus who eke out the barest subsistence working under primitive and dangerous conditions. They bring a high degree of skill and ingenuity to their occupation; a few of the most enterprising ones are aided by domesticated otters, which behave like shepherds, swimming underwater, driving fish toward the fisherman's net (and being rewarded themselves with a share of the catch). Fish for local consumption are generally of freshwater varieties. As of the end of 1987, prevailing methods for culturing shrimp in Bangladesh were still relatively unsophisticated, and average yields per hectare were low. In the late 1980s, almost all inland shrimping was done by capture rather than by intensive aquaculture. Farmers relied primarily on wild postlarval and juvenile shrimp as their sources of stock, acquired either by trapping in ponds during tidal water exchange or by gathering from local estuaries and stocking directly in the ponds. Despite the seemingly low level of technology applied to shrimp aquaculture, it became an increasingly important part of the frozen seafood industry in the mid-1980s.
The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank financed projects to develop shrimp aquaculture in the 1980s. Much of the emphasis was on construction of modern hatcheries. Private investors were also initiating similar projects to increase capacity and to introduce modern technology that would increase average yields. Training for the fishing industry of Bangladesh, as well as for merchant shipping and related maritime industries is provided by the Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Academy. 3. Cultivation, Role, Water Resources & Foreign Currency. 3.1 Fish Cultivation: In 2000-01 the total amount of fish per internal water source was about 7,70, 162 & the total collection prawn was about 250.492 metric ton, it means the total production of country was 10,20,656 m. ton that goes to 20,7,700 m. ton. In the year 2009-2010 production of internal water source about 1,63,200 m ton. Production from internal water source can be divided in two grapes. That is closed water source & open water source. The production in open water & close water source in different years are given below. Figure-3. The Quantity of Inland Fisheries Production. Total Production Source of Production Pond Close water baor recourse Prawn Khamar Total River and mhona Open Sundar water bon recourse Bil Kaptai lake Plabon bhumi Total
200001 20216 7 1803 33773
200102 22254 2 2201 39447
200203 26728 2 2460 47331
200304 30797 4 2764 68349
200405 40383 0 3014 79020
200506 48341 6 3378 88018
200607 49959 0 3536 90076
200708 56105 0 3622 92448
200809 61582 5 3801 93014
200910 685107
23774 3 15012 9
26419 0 14359 2
31707 3 13784 8
37908 7 13733 7
48546 4 13979 8
57481 2 13785 9
59320 2 13695 8
65712 0 13681 2
71264 0 13816 0
786604
6939
7127
6951
7265
9225
7031
11134
11648
12035
12345
53019 4142
55592 6635
58298 5556
60768 6148
62798 5764
67812 5932
69850 6689
72825 6852
74527 7051
76101 7247
32957 3 53241 9
36059 7 57337 6
36558
36933 3 60915 1
36245 3 59990 0
37828 0 61594 9
41043 6 64941 8
42480 5 67046 5
44517 8 68892 0
449150
59114 5
3892 97605
153695
688435
Information source: BFDC-2010. The quantity of close water resources is produced in pond 2009-2010 year is 6,85,167. Where total open water resources is produced only 6,88,435 in that year. 3.2 Role of Fisheries sector in National Economy: The role of fish sector in national economy is very important. According to statistics in 2000-01 contribution of fisheries in GDP was 5.40%, It decreases to 4.86% in 2005- 2006 but ultimately decreases in 2009-2010 to 4.51%. So we found that the role of Fisheries Department is not satisfactory in national economy or GDP. Figure-4. Contribution of Fisheries Sector in GDP at Fixed price (Base Year: 1995-96). Year In Percentage Rate (%) 2000-2001 5.51 2001-2002 5.40 2002-2003 5.25 2003-2004 5.11 2004-2005 5.00 2005-2006 4.86 2006-2007 4.73 2007-2008 4.65 2008-2009 4.58 In Percentage Rate (%) 2009-2010 4.51 6
Source: BBS Comments: 5 From the above Chart its found that the contribution of fisheries decreases in 2009-2010 than 2000-2001. 4 This contribution is also shown by following bar diagram (Figure-5): 3 2
1 0 20002001
20012002
20022003
20032004
20042005
20052006
20062007
20072008
20082009
20092010
Source: Export Development Beauru-2010.
The contribution of fisheries sector in GDP was 5.51% in 2000-01. In 2004-05 was declined and the contribution was 5% but after taking some measures by the Govt. is also sharply decreased and 2009-10 was only 4.50%. 3.3 Water Resources of BD: Watery BD is enriched water resource According to data statistics the total amount of internal water resource is about 53,35,357 Hectare. The internal water resources of BD are divided between 2 parts: 1) Open water 2) Inland Close water The inland close water resource are ponds, Baor, Prown Khamar & the total area about 41,2,341 Hectare which is shown (Figure-6) below: Type of water resource Quantity (Hectare) Percentage Pond 26,500 64% Baor 5,488 01% Prown khamar 1,41,353 35% Total Inland water 4,12,341 100% Figure-7: Quantity of Inland Water Resources:
Rate
35%
Pond Baor 64%
1%
Prown khamar
Information source: BFDC -2010.
According to data statistics water resources of Bangladesh with the based on type of water like pond 64%, Baor 1%, Prown Khamar 35%. So the inland close water resources area is ponds and total quantity is 26,500 hectare. 3.4 Acquiring Foreign Currency: Foreign currency obtaining by export fishes are given below which is also shown in (Figure-8) with a diagram: Year 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 80000 2008-2009 Source: FIQC, DOF(2008-2009). 70000
Quantity
Value
39391 38988 41482 47371 54141 63377 68829 73704 75299 72888
1811.56 2032.75 1637.14 1941.59 2363.47 2571.72 3029.84 3352.89 3396.28 3243.41
% of Total Export Earning 6.28 5.77 4.76 5.10 5.71 5.90 4.56 4.90 4.04 3.00
Obtaining currency by export fishes 1999-2000 was 6.28%. But after 2005-2006, it was 4.56% due to the inter political problems. It radically fallen in only 3% that really shocking for our economy. 50000 60000
Quantity
40000
Value 30000 20000 10000 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Comments: In above chart we found that the income of foreign currency by export fishes is increasing than 1999-2000. Though the quantity fishes is increasing year to year through 1999 to 2009. But the value of fishes that export in other country is reducing year to year respectively. 4. Marketing, Exports & Export Markets. 4. 1 Marketing of Fish: a. Internal Marketing: Bangladesh being a highly populous country with around 110m people needs about 2.5 m tons of fish annually at the standard consumption rate of 20 kg per head per year, as against the existing consumption of 8 kg per head per year on the basis of present production of 1 m MT of fish. The demand and supply situation being so it is quite natural that the entire production of marine, estuarine and fresh-water fish is easily marketed domestically except a very small quantity of selected species of fin-fishes. Traditionally, people of Bangladesh like to eat fresh fish. Chilled fish are also marketed now a days in large quantities in the towns and cities. Marketing of frozen fish is quite negligible in the absence of customer preference and cold-chain marketing developments. Utilization and marketing distribution of fish is around 70% fresh and chilled fish, 25% dried and other forms of locally processed fish including fermentation and the rest are frozen products. Out of the total production of about 100,000 MT of live crustaceans mainly shrimps and prawns about 19000 MT (headless) equivalent to 36000 MT live-weight are exported and the rest smaller sizes and non-exportable quantity of approximately 64000 MT are marketed domestically. b. International Marketing: Export of shrimp, fish and other fishery products was a non-conventional item before the independence of the country. It has increased many-folds during the last decade earning more and more foreign exchange to minimize the national balance of trade The major export items of this sector are (i) Frozen Foods comprising of Frozen shrimps, Frozen fish and Frozen Frog legs, (ii) other fishery products such as chilled fish, salted and dehydrated fish, dry fish, shark-fins and maws, crabs, tortoise and turtles. Small quantities of cephalopods such as squids and catla fish are also exported. 4.2
Exports of Frozen Foods: The share of frozen sea foods is around 9434% of the total exports of fishery products. In 2008-09, frozen foods earned 165.34 m US$ (94.34%) and other fishery products 9.80 m US$ (5.66%). Out of the frozen foods sub-sector frozen shrimps accounted for 155.48 m US$ (90.10%), frozen fish 9.80 m US$ (9.90%) and frozen frog legs had no earnings since it was totally banned by the Govt. The trend of export performance for last 5 years in terms of quantity and value is shown in Figure-9.
4.3
Exports of other Fishery Products: This sub-sector constituted only 5.66% of the total exports of the sector during 2008-09. Item wise share of export value is Dry Fish 1.80%, Salted and Dehydrated fish 1.45%, Shark-fins and Fish Maws 2.10%, Crabs 0.84%, Tortoises & Turtles 0.14%.
4.4 Major Export Markets: 4.4.1 Market for Frozen Shrimps/Prawns: The Major exports market for Bangladesh frozen Shrimp are USA (38.33%), EEC (36.49%), Japan (9.88%) and Germany (10.66%). During 2008-09 exports of frozen Shrimps to different world markets were as follows:
U.S. & others U.S.A. : 38.33% Germany
: 10.66%
EEC : Belgium : U.K. Netherlands
36.49% 15.24% 12.79% 5.54%
Asian/FEA Singapore Malaysia Taiwan
: 4.12% : 2.95% : 0.76% : 0.29%
Germany
: 10.66%
Netherlands
5.54%
Taiwan
: 0.29%
Japan
: 9.88%
Italy
1.86%
Hongkong
: 0.10%
Denmark
0.53%
Thailand
: 0.02%
Spain
0.30%
France
0.16%
Norway
0.07%
4.4.2 Frozen Frog Legs Markets: The major export markets for frozen frog legs during 2008-09 were USA (92.03%), Belgium (4.49%) and Canada (3.48%). Though esxport of frog legs has been totally banned by the Govt. from 1992-93, in order to preserve the environment. 4.4.3 Frozen Fish Markets: The major export markets of this product during 2008-09 were EEC (56.78%), Middle East (24.49%) ASEAN (12.6%), USA (4.11%), Japan (2.00%). Country-wise exports during this period was a follows: EEC/USA
56.78%
Middle East
24.49%
Asian/FEA
12.60%
U.K.
56.18%
S. Arabia
6.42%
Singapore
5.75%
Nether
0.38%
Oman
6.24%
Hongkong
3.96%
Germany
0.22%
UAE
6.21%
Malaysia
2.70%
USA
4.11%
Qatar
2.95%
Brunei
0.01%
Japan
2.00%
Kuwait
2.32%
Taiwan
0.18%
Bahrain
0.24%
4.4.4
Markets of Dry Fish: The major markets for dry fish during 1991-92 were ASEAN (80.08%), Middle East (10.66%), E.E.C. (8.75%) Country-wise breakup is as follows: Asian : 88.08% Middle East 1 : 0.66% E.E.C. : 8.75% Hongkong : 66.49% U.A.E. : 4.40% U.K. : 8.70% Singapore : 13.59% Oman : 3.22% Germany : 0.05% Bahrain :1.83% Kuwait : 0.55% Qatar : 0.43% S. Arabia : 0.23%
4.4.5 Markets for Salted & Dehydrated Fish: The only market for this item was Hongkong (100%) for the year 2008-09. During 2007-08 the major markets were Hongkong (76.69%), Japan (11.77%), Singapore (4.75%), USA (4.64%), UK (1.21%), Malaysia (0.54%) and Belgium (0.40%). 4.4.6 Markets for Shark Fins & Fish Maws: Major Markets for this item are Hongkong and Singapore. In 2008-09 the markets for this product were Hongkong (71.69%), Singapore (23.65%), U.K. (4.40%), Thailand (0.18%) and Malaysia (0.04%). 4.4.7 Markets for Crabs: The major markets for crabs during 2008-09 were Singapore (72.18%), Malaysia (9.21%), Taiwan (8.77%), Hongkong (6.63%), Qatar (1.51%) and U.K. (1.01%). 4.4.8 Markets for Tortoise and Turtles: The major markets for this item in 2007-08 was Singapore (79.28%), China (1.70%), Japan (10.14%), Hongkong (3.04%), UK (3.13%), Korea (2.42%) and U.S.A. (0.29%). This trend was changed during 2008-09 to Singapore (34.13%), China (27.82%), Japan (18.61%), Hongkong (10.48%), Spain (4.75%) and Kuwait (4.21%). 5. Fishermen Community & Poverty Alleviation. 5.1 Position of Fishermen Community: (i) The fishermen community constitute the lowest segment of rural people in Bangladesh. It is estimated that nearly 10% of the total population of the country depend on fishing and other fisheries activities. Once only low caste Hindus were found in fishing business. But now driven by poverty and landlessness many Muslims are also found in this occupation. The profession is now shared by both Hindus (54.17%) and Muslims (45.83%). The percentage of male and female in fishing is recorded as 52% male and 48% female. Basically, most of the fishermen are landless, poor and impoverished, struggling very hard for mere existence. They live below subsistence level or live sub human live (Figure-2). (ii) There are many registered fishermen socities or samities. These organizations, though formed with the objective of welfare of the fishermen communities, do very little for their welfare. They are the creations of those intermediate interests, who are always closed to the power circle and who do not want that the poor fishermen be organized. 5.2
Scope for Poverty Alleviation: Public water-bodies, if could be brought under full productive use, and if the derelict tanks and ponds could be rehabilitated that would create enough scope for income generation and employment. The unemployed youth and the landless people will find there employment. The Flood Control Drainage and Irrigation Fisheries Project (FCDI) is a new step in fisheries development. The ditches, by the side of Flood Protection Embankment, National Highways, Drainage and Irrigation Project (Meghna Dhonagoda) can be utilized for pisciculture. If the poor and landless people living around those ditches can be organized into groups, given some short training on pisciculture and supplied with some inputs, they can become good aqua culturists, and those idle and derelict ditches can be converted into fish producing ponds. The FCDI project has been successful in Chandpur, this may be replicated in other parts of the country.
Figure-9: Comparison between Catch, Fishermen and Population of the country. Year
Total (ton)
catch Total fishermen (000)
Catch per Size fishermen population (kg)
of Per capita catch (kg)
2000-01
773,979
1,165
664
98,666,346
7.84
2001-02
793,923
1,194
665
100,985,005
7.86
2002-03
814,675
1,221
667
103,358,153
7.88
2003-04
827,105
1,249
662
105,787,069
7.82
2004-05
840,926
1,277
658
108,273,066
7.77
2005-06
855,527
1,301
657
110,817,482
7.72
2006-07
895,935
1,325
676
111,455,185
8.04
2007-08
952,079
1,349
706
113,873,763
8.36
2008-09
1,020,654
1,373
743
116,344,823
8.77
2009-10
1,094,168
1,397
783
118,869,506
9.20
source : DOF Though in the earlier, fisheries was the most important sector to alleviate poverty both muslims and Hindus. In the year 2000-01 catch per fishermen (Kg.) 644 but in the year of 2005-06 it reduce at 657 (Kg.) catch per fishermen that increase 2009-10 is 783 (Kg.) only very slightly. 6. Govt.Policy,Objectives,LegalStatus,Jurisdiction&Encouragement. 6.1 Govt. Policy Towards Development of Fisheries Sector: There has been no Govt. policy for development of the fisheries sector so long. As a result the sector suffered much in respect to a balanced development. For instance, the fish and shrimp culture sub-sector is still in an infant stage, though there is a great potential for improvement. On the other hand, the processing industry witnessed such a faster growth that today about half of the total number of processing plants are out of production and the rest are under-utilized. Recently Govt. of Bangladesh drafted a "Fishery Development Policy" for coordinated development of the sector. The salient features of the policy are as follows: 6.2 Objectives of Fishery Development Policy: • To reduce the gap between supply and demand of animal protein by increasing fish production. • To create additional employment in fish and fish related industries for the improvement of socio-economic conditions of fishermencommunity in rural areas. • To earn more foreign exchange by increasing export of fish and fish by-products. • To develop public health and environmental conditions. 6.3
6.4
Legal Status of Fishery Development Policy: Govt. semi-Govt. Multinational Organizations, Private, Voluntary Organization, Individual or Groups of Individuals those situated within the geographical area of Bangladesh and are related to fishery development, export, import or fish business must abide by the Fishery Development Policy. Jurisdiction of Fishery Development Policy: • General Policy. • Inland Fish Culture Development Policy. • Inland Open Water Fish Production Policy. • Sea Fish Development Policy. • Shrimp Culture Policy. • Research Policy. • Training Policy. • Organization Policy of Fishery Sector. • Loan Policy. • Miscellaneous Policy.
Under the new fishery development policy, private sectors are given priority to develop shrimp culture and fish processing industries. Foreign investors are allowed to undertake joint venture with the Bangladesh counterparts. At present, no joint venture projects in the field of trawling, shrimp culture are in operation. Foreign investment in shrimp hatchery, nursery and food mills except the processing industry may be of immense help to the country. 6.5
Encouragement to Private Sector: The sectoral infrastructural development had been very rapid during the last decade. This has been possible due to the Govt. policy for declaring this sector under free list. As a result, to-day there is a strong infrastructure of (i) 48 deep sea shrimp trawlers, (ii) 19 fin-fish trawlers, (iii) 97 processing plants, (iv) over 6000 mechanized fishing boats and (v) 108000 ha of water areas under coastal shrimp culture etc. •
The Govt. has declared Fisheries as an industry. The Govt. financial institutions and commercial banks provided funds or loan for processing units. For encouraging the private sector, Govt. of Bangladesh has taken the following measures.
• • • •
Bank loan at reduced rate of interest for purchase of raw materials. Included frozen foods in thrust sector. Liberal allotment of foreign exchange for exporters for foreign travels for market study. Introduction of credit cards to exporters for foreign travels.
Processing plants established during recent years are of international standard. But some times lack of proper knowledge and negligence towards plant sanitation and personal hygiene of the workers gave rise to quality problems. This problem can be resolved by proper supervision and vigilance. The group training of supervisors and workers may yield positive results. Solar dried salted and dehydrated jewfish is now being produced mainly in Cox's Bazar for exporting to Hong Kong and Singapore. The dried Jewfish is produced under the direct supervision of Chinese technicians and as a result no quality problem is normally encountered. Dry fish and fermented fish are produced for local consumption by traditional methods. Fish meal and fish products are produced mainly by BFDC for local consumption. Fish meal is produced from trash fish from trawler catch and from small mixed dry fish from off-shore islands. Fish products such as burger, finger, cutlet, cake, balls and minced fish are produced in a limited scale from low-cost under-utilized fishes by BFDC trawlers and have become popular to the city dwellers. In order to go ahead with the latest developments being made in the field of fish processing and fish feed manufacture in the highly developed countries, diversification of products by the industry in respect to the following fish foods have been identified for immediate attention. The technology transfer in these fields may be useful to Bangladesh. Cooked & peeled shrimps, cook-freeze fish products, fish pastes and spreads, marinated fish products, fish protein concentrate (FPC), fish sausage from minced fish, ready to eat cooked fish food packed in oven able pouch or tray, canned fish in edible oil, brine or tomato sauce, smoked fish, chilled fish, fillet and fish steaks under modified atmosphere packing (MAP which means replacement of air by a mixture of CO and N in the plastic packets), processed shark fins, meat and liver oil etc. The industrial uses of fish are also of great importance. The possible fields are listed for consideration and development through modern technology transfer from developed nations: leather from shark skins, fish liver and body oil for industrial and pharmaceutical uses, fish silage, animal and pet foods, ornamental and decoration items from fish skin, shells scales, bones, teeth etc., pearl essence from scales of mainly pelagic fish, gelatin and isinglass from fish air-bladder, liquid fish glue from fish skins and heads, shrimp feed etc. 7. Management of Public Water Bodies: i. Ownership of water bodies in Bangladesh has traditionally been divided between state and individuals. The state held authority over the marine and coastal territorial water and large tidal rivers all other water bodies belong to those on whose land such bodie: are situated or through whose estate they flow. But in 1950, the (ownership of overall inland fisheries with the exception of pond: and tanks was transferred to the Government administration under State Acquisition Act. The classification of inland water bodies was done into open fisheries and closed fisheries, according to whether capture or culture fishery was practiced. ii.
Administrative responsibility of all public water bodies has been assigned to the Ministry of Land and the right to fish should be settled on the basis of the highest bidder through public auction. For capture fishery the length of lease was fixed for one year for open water and three years for closed water fisheries. Least obligation implied that fishing rights were to be provided to riparian fishermen, and in the case of closed fisheries the lease specifies stocking and conservation measures.
iii.
In 1980, the administration of water bodies was transferred to the Ministry of Fisheries but then again, the Ministry of Land took i back. In 1980s, Department of Fisheries (DOF) gave a special actors programme under OLP (Ox-bow Lake Project) -1 for baor fisheries development and six baors were given to them on long term lease. These six baors are still managed successfully by the Department. From this experience, the Government handed over on long term user rights 23 boars to the Department of Fisheries under OLP-II project. The DOF issues licenses to common fishermen and fish farming groups around those boars for managing the Fisheries by themselves.
iv.
The OLP I & II projects have been model of development of both fisheries and fishermen. Production office has been increased from 80 kg per ha. to 880 kg. under the project area. Income of the fishermen has also increased. During 1994-95, per head income of the fish farming groups under this project was Tk.13,000/- on average. In some of the baors like Marufdia it went upto Tk.34,000/- (Project evaluation report). All these fishermen were landless and had no other means to live on. The women groups have also shown equal interest. Specialty of this project is that the fishermen have been organizeds on a very solid bias. BRAC here has done a good job in extending credit and other inputs. They have also trained them up in other social activities like education, health and family planning activities.
v.
Ministry of Land under the New Fisheries Management policy handed over 300 (10 + 140 + 150) Jalmahals to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MOFL) in three installments on condition that MOFL will issue licenses to genuine fishermen of the areas for catching fish who will use those Jalmahals for sustainable production. Total license fees to be collected and deposited to revenue department will not however be less than last year's lease money. But this new policy did not work well for the fishermen groups could not make required investments and the vested interest groups worked against the new policy.
vi.
Former government took a policy decision that any open water bodies should not be leased out in future. Perhaps this may not be a good decision. Because for this policy decision many open water bodies are getting destroyed by excessive exploitation. On the other hand neither any protection nor any control measures has been taken effectively by the Govt. officials to protect the natural fish breeding grounds and aquatic resources. In such a situation local musclemen are getting a chance to exploit the professional fishermen in the open water bodies.
8. Investment Requirements : To address the problems of fisheries, i.e. increase of production of fish and income of fishermen, preservation of natural fisheries resources, develop socio-economic conditions of fishermen, and extension services of DOF, we need investment for inputs, infrastructures, and skill development. The areas where according to priority, we need investment are : a) Increase of production and incomes.: i) Technical assistance programmes : Monitoring of open water stocking programme Strengthening marine fisheries management
-
Support to quality control and fish inspection Fisheries research,
ii) b) i) -
Investment projects : Fresh water pond culture Coastal aquaculture Hatcheries and feed mills Stocking of minor floodplains and baors Fish landing facilities Ice production and storage Artisanal fisheries (replacement of gears, engines, boat hulls) Environment and natural resources management: Technical assistance programmes : Establishment of fish sanctuaries Juvenile hilsa (jatka) management and conservation Strengthening marine fisheries management Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM) Fisheries research
ii) c) i) -
Investment projects : Marine resource management Fishing community development: Technical assistance programmers’ : Participatory approaches in NEMP Support to fishery extension services of DOF. Improving the status of disadvantaged women in rural communities Strengthening fishery credit institutions Support to quality control and fish inspection
ii) d) i) -
Investment projects : Fresh water pond culture Coastal aquaculture Hatcheries and feed mills Stocking of minor floodplains and baors Artisanal fisheries (replacement of gears, engines, boat hulls) Strengthening of institutions: Technical assistance programmers’ Support to extension services of DOF Institutional strengthening of DOF Fisheries research.
9. Problems of Fisheries. 9.1 Lack of Integrated Planning : Integrated programme-wise approach in the national context was not envisaged earlier. The approach was mostly project-wise and localized. The problems like degradation of fisheries, fall in production, stress on fishing etc. were not seriously considered earlier and no remedial steps were also taken. Flood Control structures, embankments have seriously affected the spawning and breeding of fish. But all these problems were not addressed or even given due weight age before. Paddy or rice production increased but at the cost-of fish. 9.2
Want of Uniform Policy on Management of Public Water Bodies: Want of uniform policy on management of public water bodies has seriously affected the productivity of fisheries. Govt. here is more influenced by political considerations. The Ministry of Land is not ready to forgo the ownership of the Jalmahals. They are not also willing to let other Ministries to use them for productive purposes. Leasing out of Jalmahals by the Ministry of land is purely on revenue consideration, and not on productive or biological consideration.
9.3
Over Fishing and to much Pressure on Fisheries : With the increase of population pressure on fisheries resources increased tremendously. But increased production of fish or conservation of fisheries were not given due consideration. This resulted in scarcity of fish and poverty of the fishermen.
9.4
Degradation of Natural Fish Habitats : Indiscriminate construction of flood control structures, sluice gates, roads and use of water for irrigation have destroyed the natural fish habitats and fish sanctuaries.
9.5
Intermediate Interest in Fishing : Intermediate interests in collution with the revenue department now control most of the Khas Jalmahals by way of taking lease from Govt. pushing aside the interest of genuine fishermen. This intermediate interests or the lease holders are closed to the power circle. Fishermen being the poorest class of the society, mostly depend on the "Mohajan or the money lenders" who are, in most cases, the leaseholders of the public water bodies. The lease holders sub-lease the water bodies, to the genuine fishermen but this time at a higher cost.
9.6
Loose Institutional System of Govt. : Loose and ineffective enforcement of regulation have made the situation still weaker. If the juvenile catch of fish is checked, fish production will increase by 20%. The present DOF is not capable enough to enforce the existing regulations effectively. DOF does not also have the required manpower to enforce the laws and implement the policies of the Govt.
9.7
Socio-Economic Condition of the Fisheries Community :
Socio-economic conditions of the fishermen community and the fish farmers are extremely miserable. Nearly 80% of the fishermen are landless and live below subsistence level. Illiteracy is highest among them (18% are literate while national literacy rate is 43%). The Ezaraders or intermediate interests in fishing take the advantage of their poverty and illiteracy and exploit them. 9.8
9.9
Environmental Hazards : Indiscriminate use of pesticides had adversely affected the fish population causing a fall in fish production. Discharges of industrial wastes into rivers, sea and other water bodies, slippage of oil from the ships in the coastal areas, have also damaged fish population. When many countries have banned use of pesticides in paddy field, we are using them causing harms to our fish population. Poor Statistics : Want of information and data on fisheries are another problem. The present statistical section of DOF is very poorly equipped with old and outdated data. Any decision taken on the basis of wrong information is bound to produce wrong result.
9.10 Marine Fisheries : Marine fisheries being the largest portion of water areas, still remain unexplored. No assessment has yet been made as to what are our marine resource. 9.11
Diseases Control: Brackish water shrimp cultivation, although booming up rapidly, now suffers from a number of problems. Of them disease is the most serious one. Reasons for such disease have been attributed to indiscriminate import of fries and feed. But no redress is available from-the extension workers. The farmers when they find disease in shrimp farms take resort to 'tabiz' instead of medicine. Degradation of soil is another important problem. In order to avoid further degradation of soil, areas for shrimp should be demarcated.
9.12
Want of Brood, Fries and Feed : Adequate number of hatcheries for shrimp fries have not yet been buildt up. We have to depend mostly on wild sources and import for fries which again cause environmental hazards. Good broods, and fries are the preconditions for increase of shrimp production. Fish feed still remains another problem for our pisciculture. Here also we depend on import of fish feed. Though there is a big prospect, nobody is coming up for fish feed industry except SABINCO.
9.13 Lack of Knowledge and Technology : Lack of knowledge and technology is the most striking impediment for is extension of shrimp cultivation in the country. Our per ha. yield is, perhaps, the lowest in the world. We produce 30,000 m. ton of shrimp in If we co properly train them, 1,40,000 ha., while Thailand in the same area produces 3,00,000 m. ton. The reason of this low production that our fanners do not know the latest technology. If we could properly train them, they could produce more. 10. Major Findings, Recommendations & Conclusion. 10.1 Major Findings: Major problems of fisheries can be classified as policy issues, technical issues, resources constraints, lack of appropriate technology, inadequate extension service and lack of proper infrastructure. However, the following issues need immediate attention : a) Over exploitation of fisheries is now a threat to fisheries. Too many fishermen are now chasing few fishes as a result catch per fishermen has fallen; production of fish has also shown a downward trend. b) Uneconomic management of inland water bodies, with no consideration of biological aspects has tremendously damaged the fish population. c) Indiscriminate use of pesticides and discharged of chemical wastes has affected the fish population. d) Indiscriminate construction of flood control and irrigation structures have affected movement and natural spawning of fish. e) Siltation of rivers and degradation of fish habitats and sanctuaries have also affected the fish population. f) Riparian fishermen, in most cases, do have access to public water bodies or open water fisheries. Intermediate interests or lease holders exploit both the water bodies and the fishermen only for money and not for sustainable fish production. g) Our fishermen still are in the habit of capture fishing. To culture fish in ponds and other water bodies has yet to get movementum. h) Inter-ministerial, and inter departmental conflict as regards ownership of water bodies, have left many potential fisheries idle or unproductive. i) Fishermen communities are not organized. Therefore, they cann't protest social exploitation of the Mohajons and intermediate interests. If they could be organized, trained up and provided with inputs they can easily increase production of fish. j) Fishermen are extremely poor, they easily fall prey to mohajons and money lenders for credit. If they could be provided with necessary credit at time of need for gears and other requisites, they will be more effective. k) Public fisheries or water bodies should be leased out to genuine fishermen for long term, so that they become interested to invest money for improvement of fisheries. l) To augment fish production, stocking of fingerlings in flood plains may help increase fish production. m) Loose institutional arrangement could not enforce legal action against violation of the existing regulations for which juvenile catch offish, particularly Jhatka is ramp act. Quality of exportable fish could not also be ensured. n) Many of the native species are going to be extinct due to environmental and other reasons but no remedial action is taken for that. o) Research works in fisheries are very limited. Research is undertaken only when some donor's money is available. GOB does not provide any money for research. As a result most research institutes are left with no research work. p) Shrimp farming in the coastal area has increased in last ten years. Production of shrimp has also increased . But lack of knowledge of proper technology on shrimp culture has created environmental hazards. The greedy shrimp farmers who want to make money in too short time, have created conflict between paddy and shrimp farming. 10.2
Recommendations : Areas of recommendations may be grouped in three categories (a) conservation and development of fisheries, (b) creation of scope for increased production, opportunity for employment and income generation and (c) development of skill of the unemployed rural youth and landless people, who can be prospective aqua culturist. It is, therefore, recommended that: i) Degradation of fisheries, fish habitats, biological and ecological environment should be addressed and remedial action taken by taking decision at the national level; ii) To meet the growing need of protein deficiency fish production should be increased so that per capita fish consumption increases to 34 garm. per day; iii) Top most priority should be given to increase reduction of fish by adopting improved culture method;
iv) v)
To expand employment opportunity in pisciculture and in other ancillary industries; inter ministerial and inter-agency conflict as regards management of water bodies should be brought down to minimum level and laws in this respect should be clarified and if necessary should be repealed; vi) Water bodies belonging to the Govt. should be leased out for long term and for increased production of fish and not for collection of increased revenue, vii) The right of fishermen on fisheries or water bodies should be ensured and intermediate interests should be discouraged. Fishermen communities should be organized to be effective entrepreneur and to fight against social exploitation of the vested interest groups. OLP I & II project may be model in this respect, viii) To improve the socio-economic conditions of the fishermen communities by organizing them into groups, and training them up to improve their skill. ix) To develop fish production and fishery management technology, intensive training programme should be taken up and 80% training programme/should involve real fishermen and persons connected with fisheries at private level; x) Arrangement of training on water management, raising of fingerlings, use of inputs, disease control etc. should be made on the spot i.e. at the site of tanks or water bodies; xi) To increase foreign exchange earning through export of fish and fishery products, all modern technologies, both for quality control and increased production should be introduced in the country; xii) Total package programmes on localized fisheries projects, as OLP I & II where development of water bodies, training of the fishermen, credit and other input supply and motivational activities are included, should be under taken considering the local requirements; xiii The fishermen communities should be integrated in the national production process as entrepreneurs; xiv) Specifics projects should be taken on survey, investigation, feasibility study and research etc. in order to ascertain the potentials and prospect of fisheries. xv) To avoid conflict between crop and shrimp farming areas for shrimp should be demarcated. xvi) We should go for improved traditional method first, and then to expensive culture to extensive culture in order to increase production. xvii) Stocking in floodplains and rivers should be enhanced. Raising of fingerlings and establishment of new hatcheries/should also be encouraged. xvii) NGOs in organizing small fish farming group should be involved in the ADP projects of the Department. NGOs may also be involved in implementing certain components like credit disbursement, social motivation works of different projects. xviii) Pen culture in open rivers should be encouraged. To minimize the use of pesticide in paddy field fish culture in paddy field should also be encouraged. 10.3 Conclusion : Fisheries is an area where immense potentials still remain untapped. It is a rural and labor intensive activity. We have enough water resources, on the one hand, and enough unemployed youth on the other. If this unemployed youth could be given a short training on aqua culture, supplied with credit and other inputs and given access to public water bodies, they can be good aqua culturist and contribute to our national income to a great extent. Positive decision on management of public water bodies and organizing the unemployed youth is a matter of national policy. The water resources, if properly utilized, can produce more fish, generate more employment and more income for changing socio-economicconditions of the rural areas. But any failure in giving proper direction to solve the existing problems of inland and marine fisheries will not only prevent the attainments of the goal but worsen the whole prospect. Though Bangladesh have enough natural resource, socio economic development of a country should be possible if everyone have person knowledge about natural resource a proper use of them. Bibliography 01. Fifth five year plan book. 02. Report of the task force 2010 03. Appraisal report of the Second Aquaculture Development Project (ADB) 04. Appraisal report of the Third Fishery Project (WB) 05. Project evaluation report 2008-09 OLP - II 06. Studies on FCDI project 07. Das, Bisnu. Production economy of fish cultivation (1st part) 1st edition, Bangla Academy, Dhaka. 08. Das, Bisnu. fish of Bangladesh & management of fish resources (2nd part) 2nd edition, Bangla Academy,Dhaka. 09. Das, Bisnu. utility of fish cultivation & Permanent Development. 10. Ahmed Md. Nasir Uddin. Fish resource in economy of Bangladesh & Possibility. 11. Abul Kashem, Dr. Mohammad. Agriculture in Bangladesh & Rural economy. 1st edition, Palok Publishers, Dhaka. 12. Fisheries Statistical Yearbook of Bangladesh (2008-2009), Volume 26.