Livelihood Aspects of Fishermen of the Dahia Beel under Natore District, Bangladesh

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Dahia beel under Natore District of Bangladesh to study the livelihood aspects including the status of fishes for a period of twelve months (June 2007 – May 2008). Questionnaire based interview was taken for a total of 90 fishermen. Most of them (45.5%) were found landless (land less than 0.067 ha) category. Limited diversity in profession (agriculture 5.5%; daily labor, 4.5% and others, 3.5%) other than fishing was recorded in the study area. Daily income of 63.33% fishermen was found between Tk. 51 and 75 per day. A total of 75 fish species were recorded under 9 fish orders dominated by Cypriniformes (28 species) and Siluriformes (23 species). Status of fishes was indicated as very common (23 species), common (26 species), low (16 species) and rare (9 species). No easy access to the beel for fishing by the genuine fishermen was one of the major problems. Further research is required with emphasis on the co-management of the beel to improve the fishermen livelihood.

Citation: Flowra FA, Alam MB, Hossain MA, Samad MA and Galib SM (2009) Livelihood Aspects of Fishermen of the Dahia Beel under Natore District, Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Progressive Science and Technology 7(2): 283-284.