Present status of fish biodiversity in wetlands of Tahirpur Upazila under Sunamganj district in Bangladesh

Abstract

The present study was conducted for a period of one year from January 2017 to December 2017 to identify the present status and threats to fish diversity in the wetlands of Tahirpur upazila under Sunamganj district in Bangladesh. It was done by questionnaire interviews (QI) of fishers, focus group discussions (FGD), and key informant interviews (KII) and secondary data collection. During the study period, a total of 74 fish species under 25 families were recorded. The species availability status was remarked in four categories and obtained as 24 commonly available, 19 moderately available, 24 rarely available, 7 very rarely available species. There were 3 extinct species also recorded. It is revealed that there has been gradual reduction of fish diversity in the wetlands of the area of Tahirpur upazila and average fish catch per fisherman per day was also reduced. Community based fisheries management, fishing gears maintenance, sanctuary establishment and management, stop pollution from coal and limestone project, implementation of fish acts and regulations, stocking of fish fingerling in the open waters, dredging of beels and raising public awareness can play a great role in conserving fish biodiversity.