Efficiency of oxbow lake management systems in Bangladesh to introduce cage culture for resource‐poor fisheries

Abstract

A total of 5488 ha of oxbow lakes in Bangladesh has recently gained importance as a potential fishery resource. The growing need to utilize this resource to a fuller potential requires consideration of cage culture by resource‐poor fishing communities as a compliment to existing stock enhancement programmes. In the present study, the existing management systems of eight lakes are reviewed. Water quality was analysed with reference to the largest lake, i.e. Lake Baluhar. During the present study, > 100 cm transparency indicated the suitability of a lake for cage culture. Other water quality parameters, especially dissolved oxygen, ammonia and nitrite concentrations, also indicated suitability for cage culture. Non‐fisheries activities, such as the use of agricultural pesticides in the lake catchment and jute retting in its basin, were identified as the most harmful to fish by the majority of the fishermen. An integrated pest management programme using rice–fish based rearing systems in the lake catchment is recommended. It is further recommended that a unified management system should replace the existing dispersed systems under different management bodies.