Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 16(1) 108-126 2017

Exploration of fishing gear and fisheries diversity of Agunmukha River at Galachipa Upazila in Patuakhali District of

Md. Rahman B.1;Md. Sazedul Hoque Z.1*;Md. Rahman M.1;Nahar A.2

Received: October 2015 Accepted: January 2016

Abstract Agunmukha River is an important water body having plentiful aquatic resources. The fisheries communities in the river are familiar with a diverse range of fishing gear and crafts to catch fish. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to explore fishing gear and fishing crafts, catch composition of the respective gearand identification of fish biodiversity of Agunmukha River. A step wise validated questionnaire was used for data recording from February 2015 to August 2015. In total, 19 types of fishing gear were identified under 9 major categories. On the other hand, in view of fisheries biodiversity, 47 fish were listed covering 28 families of which was found as the most dominant family which contains 9 species under 7 genera followed by Bagridae having 5 species belonging to 3 genera and Engraulidae also containing 3 species under 3 different genera. The study described 7 vulnerable, 5 endangered and 2 critically endangered species out of 42 finfish species. Diversity indexes were calculated for the present finding of which Margalef’s index (d) was 5.13 for species available in the study area. Due to unawareness and indiscriminate fish caught with a small mesh size net, diversity of fish species in the river is under threat. Thus, public awareness and adequate knowledge on use of appropriate fishing gear with appropriate mesh size could contribute to sustainable fisheries diversity in the river and the improvement in livelihood of the fishermen in the adjacent area.

Keywords: Fish biodiversity, Fishing gears, Fishing crafts, Agunmukha River, Bangladesh.

1-Department of Fisheries Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali- 8602, Bangladesh 2-Department of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography, Faculty of Fisheries, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali- 8602, Bangladesh *Corresponding author’s Email: [email protected] 109 Rahman et al., Exploration of fishing gear and fisheries diversity of Agunmukha River at …

Introduction into the Bay of . Galachipa Bangladesh is a land of rivers and the upazila in Patuakhali district of rivers are markedas the physiography of Bangladeshis close to the Bay of the nation. About 700 rivers including Bengal south-west part and its center tributaries flow through the country lies between 21°48' and 22°21'N constituting a waterway of a total length latitudes and between 90°15' and of around 22,155 km which bears a 90°37'E longitudes (Banglapedia, huge potential for the fisheries sector 2014). Agunmukha River is one of the (DoF, 2015). Thus the country is rich in vital rivers of Galachipa upazila as an fish and other aquatic biodiversity. So, important fisheries resource. The river fishing is a widespread practice for the is situated at the side of Panpatty Union pastoral community to sustain their which is the meeting-point of several sources of revenue and to fulfill their different rivers. There is a sluice-gate of nutrition demand. Due to the heavy 15 doors at Panpatty border making it a demand on freshwaters fishes, different very special place in the rainy season types of illegal, restricted and small and it is known as "Beauty with mesh size gears were placed on Danger" (Invitetobd, 2011). different rivers throughout the last Several scientific investigations decade which caused indiscriminate have been conducted on various aspects killing of all aquatic species. Besides, of fishing gear, fishing crafts, catch the extensive irrigation designs for composition of gear, fish diversity, agricultural fields and arbitrary use of occurrence and conservation status of agrochemicals are changing the available fishes in numerous rivers of feeding, nursery and breeding grounds Bangladesh specifically: Rahman et al. of many indigenous and commercial (2015) in the Rabnabad channel, Islam important fish species. Discharge of et al.(2015) in the Payra River, Rubel et pollutants into water bodies from al. (2014) in the Lohalia River, Mohsin industries and over-fishing are highly et al. (2014) in the Andharmanik River, responsible for the destruction of fish Chaki et al. (2014) in the , species throughout the country. As a Flowra et al. (2013) in the , consequence, many fish species have Khan et al. (2013) in the Tista River, become listed as vulnerable, Galib et al.(2013) in the Choto Jamuna endangered and critically endangered. River, Siddiqu et al. (2013) in the However, a total of 54 fish species have estuary, Chakravartty already been declared as threatened of and Subrata Sharma (2013) in the which 12 are critically endangered, 28 , Siddiq et al. (2013) in the endangered and 14 are vulnerable by Dogger , Rahman et al. (2012) in IUCN (IUCN Bangladesh, 2000). the Padma distributary of the Almost all the rivers of Bangladesh River, Hossain et al. (2012) in the originate from the Himalayas and flow Meghna River, Chowdhury et al. Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 16(1) 2017 110

(2011) in the Naaf River, Miah et al. Considering all the current issues, the (2010) in the Shitalakshya River, objectives of the study were to identify Chakraborti and Mirza (2010) in the fishing gear including their mesh size, Someswari River, Mohsin and Haque market price, catch composition of (2009) in the , Boseto different gear used, fishing crafts and et al. (2007) in the Choiseul Island and the fisheries diversity in the Solomon Islands. However, there no Agunmukha River of Patuakhali scientific management based district, Bangladesh. investigation was conducted on fishing gear, fishing crafts and fisheries Materials and method diversity in the Agunmukha River due Study area to its remote geographical location. The present study was carried out in the Therefore, it would be worth to conduct Agunmukha River adjacent to the scientific investigation on available Galachipa upzila under Patuakhali fishing gear, fishing crafts, catch district of Bangladesh (Fig. 1). Its composition of different gear and center lies between 22.0667°N latitude diversity of fishes in the river. and 90.4333°E longitude. The study area was surveyed for a period of 7 (seven) months mainly from February 2015 to August 2015.

111 Rahman et al., Exploration of fishing gear and fisheries diversity of Agunmukha River at …

C

D

Figure 1: Location of study area; (A) map of Bangladesh, (B) geographical position of Agunmukha River, (C) sluice-gate on the river and (D) a representative part of Agunmukha River.

Data collection by digital balance and pan balance to A step wise prepared questionnaire was know the catch composition of different followed monthly by the researchers gear and expressed in kg. themselves to collect data for accuracy The collected specimens of different of information. The data was collected fishes were identified based on the based on the availability of fish species, morphometric and meristic fishing gear and fishing crafts used by characteristics at the species level fishermen in the Agunmukha River. mainly following Rahman (2005), other Recorded fishing gear was categorized related books like Bhuiyan (1994), and followed by Ahmed (1971). Freshly Talwar and Jhingram (1991) were also caught unsorted samples were weighted Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 16(1) 2017 112 used for more accurate information and Results identification of sampled specimens. Fishing gears Table 1 showed different types of Red list study fishing gear including their mesh size, IUCN Red list status was based on shape, price, major species caught and IUCN Bangladesh (2000). average catch composition recorded from Agunmukha River. From the results of the present survey, a total of Analysis method nineteen (19) different types of fishing Diversity Indexes were calculated using gear were listed under9 major groups following formula: described as Gill/Drift nets (Poa jal, i) Shannon-Wiener Index (H) for better Current jal, Ilish/Chandi jal, Pocket jal understanding of fish biodiversity- and Sutar jal), Seine net (Jagat ber jal), 푛푖 푛푖 Fixed purse nets (Behundi jal and 퐻 = −∑[( ) × 푙푛( )] 푁 푁 Badha jal), Cast nets (Jhaki jal and ii) Pielou’s evenness- Bachari jal), Lift nets/Dip nets (Dharma E= 퐻/퐻푚푎푥 jal), Drag/Push nets (Moia jal and Thela iii) Simpson’s dominance index- jal), Traps (Pangus Chai and Anta), 푛푖(푛푖−1) Hook and line (Chhara Barshi, Chingri 퐷 = ∑[ ] 푁(푁−1) Barshi,Cast Barshi) and Wounding gear iv) Simpson’s index of diversity- (Koach). 푛푖(푛푖−1) 1 − 퐷 = 1 − ∑[ ] On the basis of use, Ilish jal was the 푁(푁−1) most dominant gear used by the v) Margalef’s index- fishermen constituting 17.86% followed d=S-1/푙푛N by Current jal at 13.39%. The result Where, ni= number of individuals or revealed that gillnets/driftnets were the amount (e.g. biomass) of each species highest constituents for use by the (the ith species) and N = total number fishermen. The fishermen in the area of of individuals (or amount) for the site, Agunmukha River also used Jagat ber S= total number of species and 푙푛 = the jal, Poa jal, Trap, Pocket jal, Sutar jal, natural log of the number. Barshi, Bachari jal and Wounding gear A tabular technique was applied for at the rate of 9.82%, 8.93%, 6.25%, the analysis of the present findings by 6.14%, 6.14%, 3.41%, 2.68% and using simple statistical tools like 1.05%, respectively. Another 4 types of averages and percentages. Processed gears viz., Moia jal, Behundi jal, Badha data were transferred to a master sheet jal and Jhaki jal were used similarly by from which classified tables were the fishermen comprising 5.36% of prepared revealing the finding of the each. The lowest used gear observed study. For processing and analysis were Dharma jal and Thela jal at same purpose computer software MS Excel percentage of 1.79% (Fig.3). was used.

113 Rahman et al., Exploration of fishing gear and fisheries diversity of Agunmukha River at …

Table 1: Illustration of fishing gear with their mesh size, shape, price, major species caught and average catch composition recorded from the Agunmukha river. Mesh CC/day/ Shape Price of Gear types Local name size Major species caught Gear of nets net ($) (Cm) (Kg) Otolithoides pama, Setipinna phasa, Thryssa Poa jal 3-5 RS 127.84 purava,Labeo bata 12 Tenualosa ilisha, Glossogobius giuris, 447.43- Pangasius pangasius, Sperata aor, Current jal 6 RS 20 1022.7 Otolithoides pama, Thryssa purava, Ompok pabda, Labeo rohita, Rohtee cotio

Gill/Drift Ilish/ Chandi Tenualosa ilisha, Otolithoides pama, 10 RS 447.43 20 nets jal Setipinna phasa 255.67- Pocket jal 7.5 RS Tenualosa ilisha, Otolithoides pama 13 767.02 Sutar jal 6 RS ++ Tenualosa ilisha, Otolithoides pama 15 Chitala chitala, Lates calcarifer,Glossogobius giuris, Silonia silondia, Colisa fasciata, Seine net Jagat ber jal 0.5-1 RS 255.67 Gudusia chapra,Taenioides 12 cirratus,Macrobrachium sp.,Puntius sp., Xenentodon cancila

Otolithoides pama, Labeo bata, Anabas 102.27- testudineus,Lates calcarifer, Behundi jal 0.5-1 CS 5 319.59 Pseudapocryptes elongatus,Macrobrachium Fixed purse sp.,Salmostoma bacaila, Gudusia chapra nets

127.84- Macrobrachium sp.,Mystus sp., Nandus Badha jal 0.5-1 RS 10 319.59 nandus

Anabas testudineus, Sperata aor, Mystus Jhaki jal 0.5-1 CS 38.35-51.13 vittatus, Puntius sp., Macrobrachium sp., 1

Cast nets Macrobrachium sp., Scylla serrata,Chitala Bachari jal 2.5 CS 25.57-51.13 chitala 2

Lift nets/ Macrobrachium sp.,Glossogobius Dharma jal 0.5-1 SS 15.34-25.57 2 Dip nets giuris,Puntius sp., Mastacembelusarmatus

Macrobrachium sp.,Taenioides cirratus, Moia jal 0.5 RS 12.78 Puntius sp., Gudusia, 3 Drag/ push chapra,Pseudapocryptes elongates, nets Macrobrachium sp.,Colisa fasciata, Chanda Thela jal 0.5-1 TS 6.39 nama 1

MO: 20 Pangus chai DS 6.39 Pangasius pangasius,Monopterus cuchia 3 cm Traps MO: Anabas testudineus, Otolithoides pama, Anta RS 3.84 1 2.5 Cm Puntius sp. Otolithoides pama, Channa sp., Anabas Chhara Barshi - - 2.56-6.39 testudineus, Lates calcarifer, 1

Chingri Hook and - - 2.56 Macrobrachium sp., Puntius sp. 0.5 Barshi line Cast Barshi - - 5.11 Lates calcarifer, Chitala chitala, Channa sp. 1 Wounding Koach - - 1.92 Macrobrachium sp., Channa sp. 1 gears Jal= Fishing Net, MO= Mouth Opening, RS= Rectangular Shape, SS= Square Shape, CS= Conical Shape, DS= Drum-Shape, TS= Triangular shaped, ++= Government Approved, CC= Catch Composition

Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 16(1) 2017 114

1

2

3

4

115 Rahman et al., Exploration of fishing gear and fisheries diversity of Agunmukha River at …

5

Figure 2: Some fishing gear (1. Jhaki jal, 2. Moia jal, 3. Sutar jal,4. Current jal and 5. Pangus chai) found in the Agunmukha River, 2015.

1.2 20.00% 18.00% 1 16.00% 0.8 14.00% 12.00% 0.6 10.00% 8.00% 0.4 6.00% 0.2 4.00% 2.00%

0 0.00% Fishing gears used by fishermen in % in fishermen by used gears Fishing

Name of fishing gears

Figure3: Gears used by fishermen (percentage) in the Agunmukha River, 2015.

1.2 25

1 20 0.8 15 0.6 10 0.4 0.2 5

0 0 Catch composition composition kg/ day Catch in

Name of fishing gear

Figure4: Catch composition (kg/day) of different fishing gear in the Agunmukha River, 2015.

Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 16(1) 2017 116

Maximum (10 cm) and minimum (0.5 River. The lower catch composition cm) mesh size was found in case of was observed for Moia jal and Pangus Ilish jal and Moia jal under the group of chai (3 kg/day), Bachari jal and Dharma gill/drift net and drag/push net, jal (2 kg/day), Jhaki jal, Thela jal, respectively. ChharaBarshi, Cast Barshi and Koach The highest price was observed for (1 kg/day for each) and Chingri Barshi Current jal (447.43-1022.7 $) followed (0.5 kg/day). by Ilish jal (447.43 $) and the lowest price were for Koach (1.92 $). Fishing crafts The highest catch composition found A total of three types of fishing crafts for both Current jal and Ilish jal was 20 were documented from the study area kg/day. The catch composition of Sutar namely fishing trawler, Dingi nouka jal, Pocket jal, Poa jal, Jagat ber jal, and Vhela (raft)shown in Table 2. Badha jal and Behundi jal was 15 kg/day, 13 kg/day, 12 kg/day, 12 Fisheries diversity kg/day, 10 kg/day and 5 kg/day, A total of 47 species (42 from finfish respectively which was lower than that and 5 from shellfish) were recorded ofgillnet/drift net and higher than any covering 28 families (Tables 3 and 4). other gear used in the Agunmukha

Table 2: List of fishing crafts with size, construction materials, durability and major used in the Agunmukha River, 2015.

Name of Size Construction Durability Purpose the Crafts materials Trawler Length: 15-40m, Wood of breadfruit, To handle Behundi Breath: 12-15m. crape myrtle, white 5-7years jal, Gill net and Seine teak, rock dammar, net etc. looking glass mangrove and bamboo etc. are used. Dingi Length: 3 to 7m, Mainly native tress like Jhaki jal, Moiya jal, nauka Breadth: 2 to4m. big leaf mahogany, rain Poa jal, Dharma jal, tree,blackberry etc. 3-4 years Pangus chai, Anta, Cast Barshi, Chai, Hooks and lines etc. Length: 3-5m, Banana trees, bamboo Vhela 2-6 To operate Chingri Breadth: 0.7-1.2m, splits. (raft) months barshi, Cast barshi, Height: 0.2- 0.4m. Koach, Long line, Trap, Jhaki jal, Dharma jal etc.

117 Rahman et al., Exploration of fishing gear and fisheries diversity of Agunmukha River at …

Table 3: Systematic position of finfish specieswith their English common name, habitat, life pattern and IUCN red list status recorded from Agunmukha River, 2015.

IUCN red Order Family Scientific name Common English name Habitat Life pattern list status (2000) Xenentodon cancila MW, FW, Beloniformes Belonidae Freshwater garfish Amphidromous NO (Hamilton, 1822) BW Tenualosa ilisha MW, FW, Hilsa shad Anadromous NA (Hamilton, 1822) BW Clupeidae Gudusia chapra (Hamilton, 1822) Indian river shad FW, BW Potamodromous NO Setipinna phasa (Hamilton, 1822) Gangetic hairfin anchovy FW, BW Amphidromous NO Clupeiformes Thryssa purava Oblique-jaw thryssa MW, BW Oceanodromous NO Engraulidae (Hamilton, 1822) Coilia dussumieri MW, FW, Pointed tail anchovy Amphidromous NA (Valenciennes, 1848) BW Ilisha filigera MW, FW, Pristigasteridae Coromandel ilisha Anadromous NT (Valenciennes, 1847) BW Lepidocephalus guntea Cobitidae (Hamilton, 1822) Guntea loach FW, BW Potamodromous NO Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822) Pool Barb FW, BW Amphidromous NO Puntius ticto (Hamilton, 1822) Ticto barb FW, BW Potamodromous VU Puntius chola (Hamilton, 1822) Swamp barb FW Potamodromous NO Salmostoma bacaila (Hamilton, 1822) Large razorbelly minnow FW, BW Potamodromous NO Labeo bata Cyprinidae (Hamilton, 1822) Bata FW Potamodromous EN

Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) Rohu FW, BW Potamodromous NO Gibelion catla (Hamilton, 1822) Catla FW, BW Potamodromous NO Rohtee cotio (Hamilton, 1822) Cotio FW - EN Amblypharyngodon microlepis (Bleeker, Indian FW - NO 1853) Chitala chitala Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae (Hamilton, 1822) Clown knife fish FW - EN Chanda nama Ambassidae (Hamilton, 1822) Elongate glassy perchlet FW, BW Potamodromous VU Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793) Spotted snakehead FW, BW Potamodromous NO Channidae Channa striatus (Bloch, 1793) Striped Snaked FW, BW Potamodromous NO Eleotris fusca (Forster, MW, FW, Elotridae Dusky sleeper Amphidromous NA 1801) BW Glossogobius giuris MW, FW, Tank goby Amphidromous NO Perciformes (Hamilton, 1822) BW Pseudapocryptes

elongatus (Cuvier, Lanceolate goby FW, BW Amphidromous NA Gobiidae 1816) Taenioides cirratus MW, FW, Whiskered eel goby Amphidromous NT (Blyth, 1860) BW Lates calcarifer MW, FW, Latidae Giant perch Catadromous NA (Bloch, 1790) BW Nandus nandus Nandidae (Hamilton, 1822) Mottled nandus FW, BW - VU Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 16(1) 2017 118

Table 3 continued: IUCN red Common English Order Family Scientific name Habitat Life pattern list status name (2000) Colisa fasciata Osphronemidae (Bloch and Banded gourami FW - NO Schneider, 1801) Otolithoides pama MW, FW, Sciaenidae Pama croaker Amphidromous NA (Hamilton, 1822) BW Anabas testudineus Anabantidae (Bloch, 1792) Climbing perch FW, BW Potamodromous NO Mystus vittatus (Bloch, 1794) Striped river catfish FW, BW - NO Mystus cavasius (Hamilton, 1822) Gangetic mystus FW, BW Amphidromous VU Mystus tengana Tengara catfish FW Potamodromous NO Bagridae (Hamilton, 1822) Sperata aor (Hamilton, 1822) Long-whiskered catfish FW Potamodromous VU Rita rita Siluriformes (Hamilton, 1822) Rita FW, BW Potamodromous CR Heteropneustes Heteropneustidae fossilis (Bloch, Stinging catfish FW, BW - NO 1794) Pangasius Pangasiidae pangasius Yellowtail catfish FW, BW Potamodromous CR (Hamilton, 1822) Silonia silondia Schilbeidae (Hamilton, 1822) Silond catfish FW, BW Amphidromous EN Ompok pabda Siluridae (Hamilton, 1822) Pabdah catfish FW Potamodromous EN Mastacembelus Zig-zag eel Mastacembelidae armatus (Lacepède, FW, BW Potamodromous VU track eel Synbranchiforme 1800) Monopterus cuchia Synbranchidae (Hamilton, 1822) Swamp eel FW, BW - VU

Tetraodontiforme Chitala chitala s Notopteridae (Hamilton, 1822) Clown knife fish FW - EN Anadromous fish are born in freshwater, and then migrate to the ocean as juveniles where they grow into adults before migrating back into freshwater to spawn. Catadromous fish are born in saltwater, then migrate into freshwater as juveniles where they grow into adults before migrating back into the ocean to spawn. Amphidromous fish are born in freshwater/estuaries and then drift into the ocean as larvae before migrating back into freshwater to grow into adults and spawn. Potamodromous fish are born in upstream freshwater habitats, then migrate downstream (still in freshwater) as juveniles to grow into adults before migrating back upstream to spawn. Oceanodromousfish are born near spawning grounds, then drift on ocean currents as larvae before settling as juveniles to grow into adults before migrating back to spawning grounds. MW=Marine Water, FW=Fresh Water, BW=Brackish Water, CR=Critically Endangered, EN=Endangered, VU=Vulnerable, NT=Near Threaten, NO=Not Threatened, NA=Not Assessed.

Table 4: Systematic position of shellfish species with their common English name and habitat recorded from Agunmukha River, 2015. Order Family Scientific Name Common Habitat English Name Decapoda Portunidae Scylla serrata (Forsskål, 1775) Mud crab FW, BW Penaeidae Metapenaeus monoceros Speckled shrimp MW, FW, (Fabricius, 1798) BW Palaemonidae Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Giant river prawn FW Palaemonidae Man, 1879) Macrobrachium malcolmsonii Monsoon river FW Decapoda (H. Milne Edwards, 1844) prawn Macrobrachium lanchesteri Riceland prawn FW (De Man, 1911) MW= Marine Water, FW= Fresh Water, BW= Brackish Water

119 Rahman et al., Exploration of fishing gear and fisheries diversity of Agunmukha River at …

Table 5: Diversity Indexes of different fish groups in Agunmukha River, 2015. Specimens Species Fish Groups number (H) (E) (D) (1-D) (d) number

Herrings 6 913 1.78 0.91 0.17 0.83 Catfishes 9 1336 2.17 0.85 0.11 0.89 Perches 10 1936 2.17 0.72 0.10 0.90 Snakeheads 2 306 0.69 0.99 0.50 0.50 Carps 9 1699 2.04 0.58 0.15 0.85 Needle Fishes, Featherbacks, Loaches and 4 469 1.33 0.90 0.33 0.67 Puffer fishes 5.13 Eels 2 244 0.68 0.92 0.52 0.48 Others 5 901 1.58 0.91 0.21 0.79 Total 47 7804

Among the different families addition, most of shellfish are found in Cyprinidae was found as most freshwater habitat. dominant having 9 species under 7 Among 42 species of fin fishes genera followed by Bagridae (5 species vulnerable, endangered, critically belongs to 3 genera), Engraulidae (3 endangered and near threaten were 7, 5, species having 3 genera), Gobiidae (3 2 and 2, respectively. species under 3 different genera), Clupeidae (2 species in 2 different Diversity indexes genera), Channidae (2 species under Different fish group wise values of single genus), Decapoda (2 species Shannon- Weiner index (H), Pielou’s belonging to a single genus) and the evenness (E), Simpson’s dominance rest of families (Ambassidae, index (D), Simpson’s index of diversity (1-D) and Margalef’s index (d) was Anabantidae, Belonidae, Cobitidae, shown in Table 5. Elotridae, Engraulidae, Shannon-Weiner index (H) was Heteropneustidae, Latidae, found highest (2.17) for catfishes and Mastacembelidae, Nandidae, perches but lowest (0.68) for eels Notopteridae, Osphronemidae, (Fig.5). Pielou’s evenness (E) was the Pangasiidae, Pristigasteridae, maximum (0.99) in the case of needle Schilbeidae, Sciaenidae, Siluridae, fishes, feather backs, loaches and puffer Synbranchidae, Teraodontidae, fishes and minimum (0.58) for carp Palaemonidae, Penaeidae and species. The highest occurrence of Portunidae) constitutea single species Simpson’s dominance index (D) was under a single genus (for each). 0.52 for eels and lowest (0.10) for perches. In the study area, greatest The present finding suggested that (0.90) 1-D was found for perches and Clupeiformes fishes are mostly marine minor (0.48) in case of eels (Fig. 6). water habitat but Siluriformes and Margalef’s index (d) was recorded as Cypriniformes prefer fresh water. In 5.13 for all fish population available in the study area. Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 16(1) 2017 120

Herrings 2.5 1.78 2.17 Others 2 Catfishes 1.58 1.5 1 0.5 2.17 Eels 0.68 0 Perches

0.69 1.33 Needle Fishes, Featherbacks, Loaches Snakeheads and Puffer fishes 2.04 Carps

Figure5: Shannon-Weiner index for different fish groups in Agunmukha River, 2015.

Simpson’s dominance index (D) Simpson’s index of diversity (1-D)

Herrings 0.9 0.8 Others 0.7 Catfishes 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 Eels 0 Perches

Needle Fishes, Featherbacks, Snakeheads Loaches and… Carps

Figure 6: Relationship between (D) and (1-D) of different fish groups in Agunmukha River, 2015. 121 Rahman et al., Exploration of fishing gear and fisheries diversity of Agunmukha River at …

Discussion Most of the fishermen exploitedfish by Generally fishing gear is that equipment Ilish jal and Current jal due to the which is mainly used for capturing of availability of Ilish fish all the year aquatic organisms especially fishes. round as well as with the highest catch This maiden study on Agunmukha composition. Ali et al. (2015) also River recorded a total of 19 different found the highest use for Seine net and types of fishing gear under 9 major Gill net comprising 60% and 20%, groups of gear. No previously respectively and the lower uses were conducted experiment of fishing gear of found for Lift net (0.6%), Cast net the river was available and thus (1.2%), Push net (1.8%) and Trap comparison of the present findings with (0.6%) from Ramnabad River which previous ones was not possible. support similar results obtained from However, 8 major types of fishing gear the present study. including Gill net, Seine net, Set bag Among the 9 different groups of net, Lift net, Cast net, Push net, Trap fishing gear, Drift/Gill net, Seine net and Hook and line were detected in the and Fixed purse net were larger in size, Ramnabad River (Ali et al., 2015). and mesh size, and higher in price and Furthermore, a total of six types of catch composition than other gear fishing nets such as Moshari ber identified in the research area. Mesh jal/Ladi jal, Dur jal/Bindi jal, Veshal size of the gear fluctuated depending on jal, Khora jal/Khoda jal, Current jal and target fish species. But a ready to use Moiya jal were recorded from fishing gear price varied depending on Shitalakshya River (Miah et al., 2010), size of the net, water body, season and Rubel et al. (2014) identified 8 types of the personnel engaged to operate the nets as Behundi jal, Jhaki jal, Ber jal, gear. The maximum size and price of Moia jal, Thella jal, Current jal, Tana Current net and Ilish net was correlated jal and Sain jal and 2 types of traps as with the maximum catch composition Chai and Borshi in the Lohalia River, (20 kg/day). The result suggested that Khanet al. (2013) recorded total 7 gear Gill net/ Drift net, Seine net and Purse namely Current jal, Cast net, Jhayetjal, net are considered for commercial Thela jal, Dharma jal, Borshi and Long fishing and Cast net, Lift net, line in the Tista River, Siddiqet al. Drag/Push net, fish trap and Wounding (2013) identified 5 types of nets gear are considered foreconomic/ (Current jal, Ber jal,Thela jal, Jakhi jal subsistence fishing. The results and Dharma jal), 3 traps (Unta chai, obtained from this study supported the Bittechai and Icha chai), 2 hooks (Chip findings of Siddiqu et al. (2013) who borshi and Chara borshi), 2 spears (Teta found mesh size 2.2 to 3.5 cm for Punti without hooks and Teta with hooks) jal, 4 to 4.5 cm for Ilish net, 3.5 cm for from Dogger beel. Poa jal, 0.5 to 2.3 cm for Jagat ber jal, Fishermen engaged in fishing by 0.5 to 1.25 cm for Behundi jal, 0.625 to using different gearare shown in Fig. 3. Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 16(1) 2017 122

1.25 cm for Jhaki jal and 0.5 to 2 cm for trawlers, having durability about 5-7 Dharma jal in the Meghna River years. Numerous nets like gill nets, and estuary. Siddiqu et al., (2013) also seine nets are operated by this craft reported construction cost of different (Table 2). Another fishing craft is Dingi nets such as 6.39 to 63.92$ for Punti jal, nauka, a commonly used craft witha 3835.11 to 5113.48$ for Ilish jal, 63.92 smaller size hull and bottom. The to 1278.37 $ for Poa jal, 2556.74 to bottom is curved like structure rather 3835.11$ for Jagat ber jal, 2556.74$ for than flat. The deck is generally made of Behundi jal, 63.92 to 127.84$ for Jhaki splinted bamboo, wooden plank or jal and 63.92 to 639.19$ for Dharma jal splinted betel nut trees. A large number in the Meghna River estuary. of fishing gear like Current jal, Poa jal, Catch composition (kg/day) of Sutar jal etc.is operated by using this different fishing gear in the craft. The last but important craft is Agunmukha River are presented in Raft(locally called Vhela), made by Fig.4. The result revealed the lower banana tree or of a wooden floating log, catch composition influenced lower bamboo etc. It is usually 2-4m wide and uses of those respective fishing gear by about 3-8m long driven by a bamboo the fishermen (Fig.3). On the other made log. Eight to ten banana trees are hand, maximum uses of Gill net/ Drift used to prepare a raft in which bamboo net (Current jal and Ilish jal) were splits are used to join them together. correlated with the maximum catch The front portion of the craft is pointed composition of the net. Sayeed et al. so that it can move easily. A long (2014) alsoobserved the mean CPUE bamboo pole (locally called logi) is from Gillnet, Jhakijal, Seine net, Thela used to operate the vessel. Jhaki jal, jal, Lift net, Traps, Wounding gear, Line fishing etc. is done by this fishing Moijal, Hook and line and Sutijal as craft. 2.83±0.92, 2.05±0.81, 48.99±12.34, The following study depicted total 2.60±1.56, 2.66±1.46, 4.69±2.11, 47 species (42 from finfish and 5 from 1.83±1.07, 3.03±1.76, 3.11±1.76 and shellfish) in 28 families. Similar 224.54±126.89 kg, respectively in the outcomes were detected by Rahman . (2000), who found a total of 47 species In total three types of fishing crafts of fish from BSKB beel (floodplain), werere cognized used for operating but a higher number of specieswas different fishing gear in the recorded by Chakraboty and Mirza Agunmukha River of which trawler is a (2007), at about70 species of fishes mechanical vessel and is used for from the Gharia beel, Ehshan et al. commercial purposes. The fishing (2007) reported a total of 40 species of trawler found has a length of 15-40m fish including three exotic species in and breath 12-15m. Different native Chanda beel which was lower than the trees were used to prepare these present findings. 123 Rahman et al., Exploration of fishing gear and fisheries diversity of Agunmukha River at …

Most of the fishes under the order form the community. The bigger the Siluriformes were observed as Simpson’s dominance index (D) value vulnerable, endangered and critically which usually ranges from 0 to 1, the endangered followed by Cypriniformes, smaller the biodiversity. The Simpson’s but Rahman et al. (2015) identified 7 index of diversity (1-D) value also vulnerable, 7 endangered and 2 ranges between 0 and 1, the greater the critically endangered species from value, the greater the sample diversity. Rabnabad channel. Galib et al. (2013) Among the diverse groups of fishes also recorded 10 vulnerable, Perch was found as dominant followed 10endangered and 6 critically by Catfish, Carp and Herrings in the endangered species from river Choto Agunmukha River. The present Jamuna which was higher than that of findings were supported by Shukla ans the current study. Two species such as Shing. (2013) who studied three Ompok pabda and Chitala chitala stations in Aami River and showed which were marked as endangered Shannon-Weiner index (H) in site-1 as species by the IUCN red list status of 0.0213 followed by site-2 (0.0088) and Bangladesh (2000) were found in good the lowest in site-3 (0.00422). The quantities in the Agunmukha River. Simpson’s dominance index (D) value These species are also decreasing in as high at site-1 (.064) and site-2 number day by day from the river due (0.0280) and low at site-1 (0.0133). to over exploitation. Again, sluice-gate Simpson’s index of Diversity (1-D) for made in the Agunmukha River provides site 1 was 0.936, 0.72 for Site 2, and restriction of normal movement of fish 0.986 for Site 3. Galib etal (2013) also species which causes breeding hamper. calculated diversity, richness and Diversity indexes area mathematical evenness indices as 3.717, 6.954 and measure of species diversity in a 0.897, respectively from Choto Jamuna community which provides more River fish populations. information about community In conclusion, the Agunmukha River composition. The Shannon- Weiner is very important fisheries resources in diversity index (H) is commonly used the southern part of Bangladesh. The to describe species diversity in a river plays a vital role for maintaining community. Shannon- Weiner index the fisheries diversity in the southern (H) accounts for both abundance and district of Bangladesh. Under the group evenness of the species present in an of gill net/drift net, Current jal and Ilish area. When all species that make up a jal were the most available and population community are equally prominent fishing gear used by the abundant, diversity is shown as higher. fishermen. Among the different fishing The value of Evenness (E) varied gear, Current jal and Ilish jal could be between 1 and 0. The closer to 1 the considered as commercial fishing gear more even the populations of fish that due to their maximum catch Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 16(1) 2017 124 composition and being higher in size Bhuiyan, A.L., 1994. Fishes of Dacca. and price. However, different smaller Asiatic Society of Pakistan, Dacca, mesh size and non-selected fishing gear 148P. especially Current jal, Jagat ber jal and Boseto, D., Morrison, C., Pikacha, P Badha jal were responsible for and Pitakia, T., 2007. 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