Fisheries Resource Management and Fishers Access Mechanisms to the

ResourceSubmitted To:Dr. S.M. RafiquzzamanAssociate professor,Dept. of Fisheries Biology and Aquatic EnvironmentFaculty of Fisheries.

Submitted By:1.Nazmul Ahmed Oli (12-05-2835)2.Nushrat Nuremy (12-05-2836)3.Bishwajit Karmakar Sunny (12-05-2837)4.Rupa shaha (12-05-2838)5.Mahfuzur Rahman (12-05-2839)

Introduction:

Fisheries resource management has changed over the year and different management have been adopted but the fishers’ always remain deprived from actual their rights

HistoryIn 1773 a new system of land rights has been established by Birthish Government in which the landlord were granted the ownership of the Jalmohal.

In 1950 the Zamindar system was abolished and the Jalmohal was vested to with the government.

1995, the Jalmohal were declared lease free and open to all for fishing and this is under the ministry of fisheries (MoFL/DoF).

Continued

The water bodies in the Sundarbans is under the department of Forest

Marine Fisheries resources has been managed by the Department of Fisheries (DoF)

Present Management Practices and Fishers’ Access

• No leasing system with free access to all

• Under 20 acres waterbody has been leased to unemployed youth association.

• Above 20 acres waterbody has been leased through tender system

• New Fisheries management policy :-

• 1. Community based Fisheries management

• 2. Government-Community Co-management.

Jalmohal Management System

Fishers Access to Floodplain

For livelihood purpose poor fishermen use the seasonal flood plain area. Recently community based fisheries management has been established in Dautkandi area in Comilla District

10,000 acres flood plain area is under community based fisheries management. But the poor fishers don’t have any access to those area. But different NGO’s are taking the ownership and allowing the fishers to become stake holder.

Problems in Fishers Access & Fisheries Management

Lack of Credit- Fishers’ have no credit for accessing the license hence they have to depend on Mohajon 

Higher Fixed Rate- A higher lease value rate affects the fishers to access the resource.  

Short-term Revenue Tendency- This affects both the fishes and fisheries resources.

Man made interventions disrupts fishing routes, migrations and habitat destruction.

Pollution- Agricultural and industrial pollution have created a tremendous pressure on fish stock.

Managing Fishers Right

Licensing system to the genuine fishers.  Managing policies without middleman and with

providing direct license. Community Based Fisheries Management program.

Laws and Regulations:1. Protection of conservation of fish act.2. The marine fisheries ordinance and rules.

Fishing Ban and Impact of Fish Sanctuary

Jatka(below 23 cm) catching have been prohibited in November to April.

Manufacturing current jal has been restricted. The laws and regulations are not against the fishers. But

banning in catching fish has affected the livelihood. The positive of banning is increased Hilsa production

(from 199032MT-290000MT). Establishment of fish sanctuary has increased production

from 151Kg/hec to 389Kg/hec.

Fish Lean

Lean fishing periods have decreased the production less than one forth to half of peak season catch

During leaning period fishers take loan or Dadon from Mohajon or Arotdar

Thus they reduce expenditure by reducing cost of basic needs resulting in sub-human life style.

Fish BanGovernment has imposed ban in approximately 330km water body in different time of the year.

During ban period, fishers take loan from money lender or NGO’s and adopt different professions

Government provides some compensations like rice(10kg/family) or credit to poor farmers.

Government compensation is not properly distributed due to politics and nepotism.

Some studies recommends to withdraw ban by taking new management policies or CBFM..

Key Findings

Fishers can’t access to the water bodies due to capital

Fishers are not aware of their rights due to illiteracy.

Fishers do not get enough credit during lean and ban time.

Fishing is affected by natural hazards

Lack of alternate income generating activities.

Socio-economic aspects

Resource, Management & Access to resource

Revenue oriented leasing system depletes fishers access

Increasing population putting heavy pressure on fisheries resource.

Decreased water body(beel & Haor) during dry season.

Overfishing in the open access flowing river

New fisheries management policies and community based fisheries management.

ContinuedBan of fishing for 3 months(Nov-Jan) in Andharmanik river and 2 months(Mar- Apr) in lower Meghna.

Fisheries sanctuaries with implantation of fisheries regulation in Haor and Beel.

Intervention like AFCD or AFDI project inhibiting the use of chemicals in agriculture.

Introduction of flood-plain aquaculture practices (Dautkandi, Comilla)

Controlled utilization and leasing of Jalmohals for sustainable increased production.

Strategies During Lean and Ban of Fishing

Providing more opportunities for alternate income generation removing the activity of middleman

Providing enough compensation from the government during ban of fishing in lower Meghna and Andharmanik river

Policy Implications and recommendations

Minimizing over-exploitation and over-fishing by banning revenue oriented short-term leasing.

Ban of all kind of fishing gear for 2-3months in 330km area of Meghna and Andharmanik river to save Jatka. Though some studies refers to ban of only harmful fishing gears.

Compensations provided by the government is insufficient. The distribution should be free of politics and nepotism.

Arrangement of alternate job opportunities during lean and ban period to control over –fishing and maintianing sustainable stock.

Continued Strict enforcement of fish laws and regulations and

establishment of fish sanctuaries. Providing institutional credits to the poor farmers with lowest

interest and easy policies. Collaborations of MOL and MOFL will reduce conflict among

the policy strategies resulting unified management system. Establishment of institutional capabilities to enforce laws and

increasing capacity of DOF with more man power and logistics.

Conclusion:

By recognizing the existing constrains, a new fisheries sector resource management must be needed for developed of an appropriate regime for the management of fisheries resources which must be suitable for the poor fisherman