Changing Significance of Inland Fisheries for Livelihoods and Nutrition in Bangladesh

Abstract

SUMMARY Fish is an essential and irreplaceable food in the rural Bangladesh diet. Inland capture fisheries are still the main source of fish in the diet. Although wetlands and fish habitat have been lost to drainage and flood control, the contribution of aquaculture to total fish production has been increasing in the last two decades. The contribution of different species to fish intake as well as micro-nutrient intakes has been investigated based on food consumption studies. The main distinction is between small indigenous fish species (SIS), which typically are caught in open waters and floodplains, and larger species including carps (which are now largely cultured in ponds) and other fishes. The contribution of nutrient-minerals and especially vitamin A–from SIS is particularly important. Some SIS have very high vitamin A contents, whereas other fish, including carps have low vitamin A content. SIS that are eaten whole are also an important source of calcium. In addition, fish as part of a meal can enh...