Study on Fishing Gears and Methods in the Chalan Beel of North-West Bangladesh

Abstract

A total of 27 fishing gears and 2 FADs were recorded. Fishing gears were categorized as nets (12), traps (5), hooks and lines (6) and wounding gears (4). Among nets, highest mean mesh size recorded 3.88±0.79 cm in Chabi Jal whereas the lowest was Thela Jal (0.30±0.32 cm). Highest fishing duration was found for Current Jal (Gill net) (290.9±0.20 min.) and the lowest was recorded in case of Thela Jal (1.96±0.72 min.). Highest CPUE was found in Pangti Jal (89.4±27.6) and the lowest was found in Thela Jal (3.95±2.68). Major fish species caught in different fishing nets were Punti (Puntius sp.) in Current Jal (45.26%), Punti Jal (73.17%) and in Pangti Jal (18.08%), Chanda (Chanda nama, Parambassis ranga, and P. lala) in Khora Jal (17.32%), Chela (Salmostoma sp.) in Dharma Jal (18.75%) and Bor Jal (23.61%), Colisa and Darkina (Esomus danricus) in Thela Jal (17.24% each), Chapila (Gudusia chapra) in Jakhi Jal (21.58%), Punti and tengra (Mystus sp.) in Moi Jal (16.8% each), Darkina in Hat-badai Jal (22.22%). Except some, majority fish species trapped in the recorded fishing traps were SIS, whereas fishing hooks and lines were used to catch carnivorous fish species mainly. Wounding fishing gears were used for wounding large size fishes during heavy flood or when water level becomes low. Fishing was also done by creating FADs using Bana and Katha in different places of Chalan Beel.

Citation: Galib SM, Samad MA, Kamal MM, Haque MA and Hasan MM (2009) A Study on Fishing Gears and Methods in the Chalan Beel of North-West Bangladesh. Journal of Environmental Science & Natural Resources 2(2): 213-218.