IMPACT OF FISH DIVERSITY ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF FISHERS OF DEKHAR HAOR IN SUNAMGANJ

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the impact of fish diversity on the livelihood of fishermen living around the Dekhar haor of Dakshin Sunamganj in Sunamganj during the period of September 2015 to August 2016. It was performed based on field survey and direct fish catch sampling. The primary data were collected from the field survey through questionnaire interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) with different stakeholders. A good number of fishermen (73) were randomly selected in the study area. Key informant interviews were made to cross-check the collected data from the fishermen. A total of 51 fish species were identified belonging to 19 families under 34 genera of 10 groups along with two prawn species, where 23 fish species were categorized as abundant, 10 common and the rest 18 were rare. The most abundant fish were catfishes. Fishing is the main occupation of the fishermen and most of them are engaged in other professions to enjoy better life. About 18-70 years age group was mostly involved with fishing. Family size of the fishermen was consisted with 2-13 persons/family. Around 72.61% and 27.39% fishermen were Muslims and Sonatans, respectively. Most of the fishermen (63%) were able to sign only, 26% were illiterate and 7% had primary education. On the other hand, only 1% and 3% of the fishermen had JSC and SSC education, respectively. The monthly income of the fishermen from fishing was ranged from Tk. 500-5,000 where annual income was varied from Tk. 10,000-100,000. It was recorded that around 38% of the fishermen had medium savings followed by low savings (41%) and high savings (10%). On the contrary 11% of the fishers had no savings. Housing and sanitation conditions of the fishermen were not well developed. It was calculated that 83.56% of fishermen‟s houses were kacha and 16.44% were semi-pakka as well as 79.45% of toilets were kacha while 20.55% was semi pakka toilet. Almost all the fishermen were used tube-well water for drinking. About 54.80, 23.28, 19.18 and 2.74% of fishermen households were dependent on village doctors, kobiraj, paurashava hospital and MBBS doctor, respectively. It was found that 16.44% of fishermen were in joint family and 83.56% were in nuclear family. The majority of the fishers are interested to live separately owing to lower income. The monthly values of Shannon-Weaver diversity (H), Margalef‟s richness (R), Pielou‟s (e) evenness indices and Simpson dominance indices were obtained to be 3.36-3.78, 6.12-8.40, 0.98-0.99 and 0.97-0.98, respectively. Fishermen of the haor area are entirely dependent on capture fishery from the haor for their livelihood. From the results of the study it implies that fish diversity of haor has been decreasing in every year, which is alarming for the country and it would adversely affect the livelihood of the fishermen. Government and other organizations should come forward for taking urgent actions to protect the biodiversity of the haor. Government should create alternative job opportunities for the fishers and should utilize their potential, which will improve their livelihood and fish diversity will be protected and the country will be benefited.