Availability and Consumer Preference of Small Indigenous Species (SIS) of the River Padma at Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Abstract

Different locations of river Padma at Rajshahi city (Rajshahi, Bangladesh) were surveyed for a period of 11 months (May, 2007 to March, 2008) to list down the available SIS and for assessing their preferences by the local consumers. A total of 57 SIS were recorded belonging to 23 families and 11 orders. The most abundant family and order were found as Cyprinidae (28.07% SIS) and Cypriniformes (35.09% SIS) respectively. Majority (45.61%) SIS were sold as single sp. followed by both single sp. and mixed (29.82%) and mixed only (21.05%). The highest and lowest retail prices were recorded as BDT 400/kg (Clarias batrachus) and BDT 30/kg (Parambassis lala and Esomus danricus). There were four SIS (Pisodonophis cancrivorus, Aplocheilus panchax, Amblyceps mangois and Hara hara; (7.02%) having no food value to the local people and treated as trash species. Middle class consumers buy 91.23% SIS followed by lower class (68.42%). Gudusia chapra was found as the most popular SIS preferred by 72.50% consumers. Gradual declination of SIS (mainly for indiscriminate exploitation and siltation) was also recorded.

Citation: Samad MA, Asaduzzaman M, Galib SM, Kamal MM and Haque MR (2010) Availability and Consumer Preference of Small Indigenous Species (SIS) of the River Padma at Rajshahi, Bangladesh. International Journal of BioResearch 1(5): 27-31.