Present status and exploitation of nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in kaptai lake, Bangladesh

Abstract

A study was carried out in the Kaptai Lake of Bangladesh to determine the present condition of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), tilapia fishers, fishing gears, catch records and management policies. Data were collected by personal observation and other participatory methods in a year. It was found that tilapia productions were high in 1999-2000 (160.83 mt, 2.94%) and in 2000-01 (180.78 mt, 3.51%), respectively. In 2008-09, tilapia production was comparatively very low (31.85 mt, 0.86%) where lowest contribution (0.70%, 43.04 mt) in 2011-12 fiscal year. Professional, seasonal professional and subsistence fisherman were found to catch tilapia. Highest and lowest amount of catch were found in lift net (32%) and cast net (3%); and longest and shortest fishing durations were found in current net (13hrs/day) and cast net (4hrs/day), respectively. For being an exotic fish species, tilapia was being neglected for specific management practices to protection.