A Case Study on Fishing Gears, Fish Species Composition and Fisher Folk Community at Jamuna River of Sirajganj Sadar Fish Landing Site, Bangladesh

Abstract

A profilistic study on the socio-economic status of the fishermen community of Jamuna River under Sirajganj Sadar, was conducted for a period of 1 year and 6 months from August 2014 to February 2016 by employing PRP tools. A total sample of respondent was 120 families and head of the family was considered as respondents for accuracy of information. In this investigation information on fishing gears, fish diversity and social status such as education level, religion, age, occupation, housing condition, sanitary condition, electricity facilities and other facilities was studied. The surveyed result identified total 11 types on fishing net under 5 major groups of net of which Current jal, Chandi jal under the group of Gill net and Ber jal under Seine net group was responsible for large-scale caught. A total of 55 species under 44 genera and 28 families were identified from River Jamuna in the catches of different gears. Among different families Cyprinidae contributes highest number (10 species) of species and genus (7 genera) which was followed by Schilbeidae had 4 species under 4 different genera. The socio-demographic study revealed that most of the fishermen had aged 30-50 (62%) indicated middle class family. The majority of fishers are Muslim (69%). 62% fishermen were engaged in fishing as their main occupation. But, 53% had no educational knowledge. Monthly income varied from 3-25 $ of fisher community. About 61% house had no electricity because of bad communication system. Social condition is not good because majority of them are landless. All of these situation can be promoted if the government and non-governmental organisation trying their best affort and increase their facilities among the fisher folk community of Jamuna River around Sirajgonj district.