Abstract
Fishing with otters is an ancient fishing technique in Bangladesh, exists only in the south-western part of the country with smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata). The present study was carried out to portray this unique fishing technique and to investigate otter fishers` livelihood status in Narail District. Fishing with otters is carried out at night in the Chitra and the Nabaganga rivers, involving at least four people, a boat, a net, 2-3 adult tamed otters and 1-2 immature trainee otters. The socio-economic conditions and livelihood status of the otter fishers` were found as not-satisfactory level whereas about 75% of total 36 fishermen were termed as very poor and they don`t have their own boat and nets for fishing. All of the surveyed fishers belong to the Hindu religion and less access to education, pure drinking water, and a healthy sanitation system. Due to scanty income, and resultant low-living standard, 14 otter fishers were found changed their ancient profession. Therefore, direct interventions are essential to support improved and sustainable socio-economic condition of the otter fishing community.
 Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.8(2): 249-257, August 2021
Highlights
Bangladesh is a south Asian low-lying and riverine country endowed with over 230 rivers (Rahman, 2005)
Famous traveler Marco Polo wrote about otter fishing of Chinese people in the Yangtse Kiang River in his travels about 600 years ago (Gabriel et al, 2005)
The Chinese are reputed using otters for commercial fishing from the inhabitants of Indo-China and the Malaysian area; on the other hand, in India otters were used for fishing in areas of the rivers Indus and Ganges and elsewhere in Bengal (Gabriel et al, 2005)
Summary
Bangladesh is a south Asian low-lying and riverine country endowed with over 230 rivers (Rahman, 2005). The Chinese are reputed using otters for commercial fishing from the inhabitants of Indo-China and the Malaysian area; on the other hand, in India otters were used for fishing in areas of the rivers Indus and Ganges and elsewhere in Bengal (Gabriel et al, 2005). Beside this the practice of using otters to drive fish into nets was prevalent in Asia and is still practiced in southern Bangladesh (Feeroz et al, 2011). The present study was carried out to investigate and reveal the livelihood status of the otter-fishing community
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