TERM PAPER

Course Name Course No

: Development Theory And Bangladesh Economy : 4201

Submitted to: Moshahida Sultana Lecturer, Department of A&IS, University of Dhaka Submitted by: Md. Jahangir Alam ID: 14051, Sec:A BBA (14th Batch), Department of A&IS, University of Dhaka

THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARTISANAL HILSA FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARTISANAL HILSA FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARTISANAL HILSA FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Introduction Economic profile of the hilsha fishery The artisanal hilsa fishery in Bangladesh Number of hilsa fisherman in artisanal sector in Bangladesh Socio-economic conditions of fishermen Export of hilsa Strong demand Hilsa fish farming in pond Problems in the Hilsha fishery 05 06 07 08 09 09 10 11

Page
05

Solutions and suggestions for the development and conservation of Hilsha fishery 11

Conclusion References

12 12

THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARTISANAL HILSA FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

Executive summary

Hilsa is considered to be one of the most delicious fishes in the world. This popular tropical fish of clupeid family is found in the famous rivers like the Padma, the Meghna and the Bishkhali of Bangladesh. Most of the Bangladeshis love fish, particularly Hilsa, but many of them cannot afford to buy it for its high prices. Production of Hilsa has been increased due to cautious and sincere measures undertaken by the government. An overwhelming 75 per cent of the world's Hilsa is produced in Bangladesh. Total fish production of the country is 2.45 million tonnes and out of that 12-13 per cent is Hilsa. The contribution of Hilsa to GDP is about 1.5%. Average annual production of Hilsa stands at about 0.25 million tonnes worth about Tk.40.0-45.0 billion. In 1990-91 Hilsa production was 0.18 million tonnes. Due to partial prevention of jatka (baby Hilsa) fishing, an additional 56,000 tonnes of Hilsa worth about Tk. 8.40 billion were produced in 2004-2005. Hilsa production increased by about 0.28 million tonnes in 2006-2007, the worth of which is Tk.90.0 billion. The government is expecting that the production of Hilsa will exceed 0.4 million tonnes this year because of restriction on catching jatka through Tk. 40.0 million massive program and other food subsidy intervention. The hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) fishery is by far the
largest single species fishery in Bangladesh. The results indicate that the fishing effort required to make the hilsa fishery attain sustainable maximum economic benefits is about one-third of the current fishing effort. At this sustainable fishing effort level, annual net economic benefits from the fishery would be worth about US $260 million. The present value of the fishery along a moderate effort adjustment path to this long-term equilibrium position is US $3,650 million at a 6% rate of discount. The dynamic path that maximizes the present value of the fishery involves quite dramatic effort reductions for the first two years. Such a path would increase the present value of the fishery by perhaps 10-15%.

THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARTISANAL HILSA FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

Introduction
The hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) fishery is the largest single species fishery in Bangladesh. The study indicates that the potential annual net economic benefits from the fishery are in the order of US$ 260 million compared to little or no net economic benefits under the existing management regime. The fishing effort (measured in standardized boat units) required to make hilsa fishery to attain sustainable maximum economic benefits is about one-third of the current fishing effort. Hilsa is the most important and biggest fishery resource of Bangladesh. As single species it contributes about 30% of total fish production. More than 2% of our population depends on this fishery for their livelihood both directly and indirectly. Hilsa production has been hampered during breeding season by catching egg bearing ilish and jatka. Thus the supply becomes a small amount. FRI was established in 1986 in Chandpur to research in proper management system of fishery resource for their development preservation.

Economic profile of the hilsa fishery

In Bangladesh, hilsa occurs in inland, marine, and coastal waters and is harvested throughout the year. Hilsa has the highest contribution to Bangladesh fish production as a single species. It is considered the national fish of the country and contributes to the national economy, employment and export. According to Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh produced 340,000 tonnes of hilsha in the 2010-11 fiscal year which ended in June, 27,000 tonnes more than the previous year. Average hilsa production is about 215

THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARTISANAL HILSA FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

thousand mt worth US $380 million. It contributes 1.5% to the GDP. On the other hand, the government earned an average of US $630 million by exporting on average 220 mt per year. An estimated 0.46 million people are engaged in hilsa and jatka fishing. About 2% of the countrys total population are directly or indirectly involved in the hilsa fishery for their livelihoods.

The artisanal hilsa fishery in Bangladesh

The artisanal fisheries are by far the most important fisheries in the marine sector of Bangladesh. In the year 2006, about 93% of the catch comes from the artisanal fishery and about 7% comes from the industrial fishery. Among the artisanal sector the hilsa fishery contributes over 41% of the total catch .

Figure: Contribution of hilsa fishery in artisanal fishery in Bangladesh

The artisanal sector is characterized by use of local, traditional and primitive methods of fishing. By implication, the characteristics of the sector are supposed to be low level of mechanization, labor intensive fishing methods, and the prevalent use of unsophisticated techniques. The artisanal hilsa fishery is mainly a gill net fishery. Several traditional fishing techniques are employed in this sector. Artisinal fishing for hilsa can be done almost throughout the year. The peak season is September/October, some minor peaks occur in February, April and June. The catch from the estuarine sector was sold mostly at the fishing ground itself to carrier boats; hence the shore landings are poor. In the artisanal

THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARTISANAL HILSA FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

gill net fishery, mechanised and non-mechanised boats are engaged for hilsa fishing. As per statistics of FRSS, the total numbers of mechanised boats (MB) and non-mechanised boats (NMB) and gears were 2.887.380,2 and 6.682 respectively in 1984/85. In 2005/06, these figures had increased to 18.992 6.377 and 106.316 respectively. A survey was conducted by GEF in 2002/03. According to this survey, three types of boats engaged in marine hilsa catching in Bangladesh. These are trawlers (around 15 feet long) and tempo (around 10 feet long) boats used in commercial hilsa fishing. Both types of boats are called trawlers or mechanised boats with around 8-12 HP engine capacities. And the other most important non-mechanised boats used in the artisanal sector are Chandhi boats which have existed for a long period of time. The hilsa stocks are exploited by a variety of gears, the most common of which are the clap net, gillnet, driftnet, seine net, barrier net, and fixed bag net; the largest contribution, however, comes from gill/drift nets. Mechanised fishing with gillnets accounts for the bulk of the landings from the sea. For this reason the number of fishing vessels and gears increased day by day.

Number of hilsa fisherman in artisanal sector in Bangladesh

Number of fishers involved in a fishery is an important aspect towards sustainable development and management of the fishery. In a country-wide survey, the total number of fishermen involved in hilsa fishing was found to be about 464 thousand belonging to 184 thousand families and of them 68% are full time and 32% are part time.

THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARTISANAL HILSA FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

Total no. of hilsa fishermen in different areas of Bangladesh

Name of Total division district Total fishermen Total hilsa village 579 773 1743 307 260 41 3.706 Total hilsa fisher family 8.902 66.608 100.270 2.879 4.570 3.83 183.630 Total hilsa Occupation fishermen Full Part time time (%) (%) 17.454 26 74 142.649 285.001 6.372 11.783 8.25 464.084 56 65 24 10 10 32 44 35 76 90 90 68

Dhaka Chittagong Barisal Rajshahi Khulna Sylhet Total

12 8 6 7 5 2 40

75.687 257.715 308.270 27.636 78.268 9.500 757.076

Among those hilsa fishermen

439 thousand belonging to 171 thousand families are

artisanal fishers. From 1987 to 2007, with an increase of boats and gears, the numbers of hilsa fishers have been increased in the marine sector. The number of hilsa fishermen from the inland sector may have decreased because of less abundance of hilsa in the riverine habitats and habitat loss.

Socio-economic conditions of fishermen

Usually, it is told that the fishers are the poorest group of people in the country. But little is known about their poverty level because very little work on the livelihood of the fishers has been done in the country. Like other fishermen, hilsa fishers are poor. There are three major categories of hilsa fishers: the boat owner, head mazhi (skipper) and the crew. Usually the boat owners own the boats and nets and offer their boats and nets for fishing to the head mazhi. The usual share of the above categories of the fishers are that the boat owner gets 50-70% of the total catch, the head mazhi gets 2-3% share, assistant head mazhi and the boat driver get 1.5% share and the crew or labour fishers, deducting the cost of fishing get only 1% shares for the fishing operation. The annual expenditure for livelihood (except capital cost) of the artisanal hilsa fishers was found to average Tk. 76.045 and for

THE POTENTIAL OF THE ARTISANAL HILSA FISHERY IN BANGLADESH

consumption it was an average of Tk 38, 300 (BFRI 2000). So the overall socio-economic conditions of the hilsa fisher-folk in both the upper and lower regions are very poor. If the production or CPUE decline, the socio-economic conditions of the hilsa fisher folk will worsen further.

Export of hilsa
A considerable amount of hilsa is exported from Bangladesh. The minimum size of exportable hilsa is about 1.0 kg. Hilsa has a big internal and external market. Bangladesh can earn huge foreign currency by exporting Hilsa every year. Bangladesh earns foreign currency worth Tk.1.0-2.0 billion every year by exporting to India, Middle East and Europe. Hilsa production also helps eradicate poverty of the country and significantly contribute to the country's employment. About 450,000 people of 145 upzilla of 40 districts depend on catching Hilsa for their livelihood .Out of them 32 per cent are involved in fulltime and 68 per cent are part-time fishing. Besides, about 2.0-2.5 million people are directly or indirectly dependent on it as they are involved in works like transportation, processing, export, manufacturing boats and nets. Hilsa has very rich food value too. There are high level of protein, fat and minerals in this fish. Hilsa contains high-level calcium, phosphorus and iron. The Hilsa fish fat has vitamin A and D in abundance. Hilsa fish also contributes to meeting nutritional deficiencies of the country. Several customised products can be evolved from Hilsa that can help expand its market home and abroad. Thus Hilsa contributes to micro-macro economy of the nation.

STRONG DEMAND
The Department of Fisheries said Bangladesh exported 5,376 tonnes of hilsha to India alone out of their total export of 8,500 tonnes in the fiscal year just ended. The rest went to the ethnic Bangladeshi markets in Europe and America. But the actual exports are likely to be much higher due to active smuggling along the river borders between the nations, which are impossible to completely control. In recognition of the esteem in which the fish is held by both countries, Bangladeshi governments often use hilsha to smooth ties with India, which surrounds its small neighbour on three sides. Whenever we host a VIP guest from India, authorities here wish to treat them with all varieties of dishes, but hilsha is a must.

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We are used to hilsha diplomacy. So entrenched is this custom that hilsha was even on the menu when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Dhaka recently, despite the fact that Singh is a vegetarian. It is not known if he tasted it. Truckloads of hilsha go to India each day. Dishonest traders often register them as non-fish cargo. Instead of addressing concerns that the uncontrolled smuggling may lead to a day not too far in the future when hilsha will be completely out of reach for Bangladeshis, the government is instead trying to increase production. Around 11,000 fishermen in seven districts of the hilsha zone spanning 7,000 square kilometres have already been provided alternative source of income during the breeding season.

Hilsa fish farming in pond

It is common knowledge that hilsa fish can survive only in rivers. But researchers at Chandpur Fisheries Research Institute have now taken steps to farm the hilsa in ponds. They captured some hilsa fry under special arrangements and released them into ponds. researchers at Chandpur Fisheries Research Institute have taken to farming the hilsa in ponds, seeking to belie a common perception that hilsa fish can survive only in rivers. People in Bangladesh as well as West Bengal in India swear by the taste of the full-ofbones yet melt-in-the mouth hilsa, with its preparation considered a must during festivities.Hilsa eggs, fried and spiced up, are also eaten with relish in both countries, though some say this has led to over-consumption of the fish.1.5-inch long newly born hilsa fish, also called fry, was released into a pond under the supervision of the institute. Three ponds inside the institute have been readied for hilsa farming. A full-scale experimental rearing of hilsa in the ponds will begin this month. The researchers said fishermen net 10,000 to 19,000 tonnes of fry a year.

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Problems in the Hilsha fishery:

The main problem is indiscriminant jatka catching which has become a thread to the natural Hilsa production. Indiscriminate & tremendous catching of mature fish during the peak period of their breeding season (September-October). In this way, their natural breeding is interrupted.

Over fishing. Using current jal (gill net), behundi jal, and jagot ber jal on the natural pathway of jatka. About 3,456 tons of jatka are caught during Feb-May. If this jatka were not caught, they could afford to supply more than 3.5 lakh tons of Hilsha production per year.

Pollution of aquatic environment. Decrease of water flow due to deposition of silt in the river beds. Environmental changes cause the hindrance and change the natural route of migration. Lack of proper security, rules and regulations, implementation and subscription of prevailing acts. Lack of awareness

Solutions and suggestions for the development and conservation of Hilsha fishery: Following measures should be carried out with a view to developing and conservation of Hilsha fishery .

It must be totally forbidden to catch any type of brood ilish during 15 Sep-15 Oct, the peak period of breeding around the detected main spawning ground in our country.

The spawning ground of ilish and nursery ground of jatka should be declared as a ground free from threat. Implementation and subscription of jatka fishing ban (Nov-May) must be followed strictly.

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Prevailing allowed current jal of 4.5 cm mesh size should be replaced by 8 cm mesh sized current jal Over fishing should be controlled. Indiscriminate and tremendous brood and jatka fishing must be protected Alternative means of live hood can be provided the deviated fisherman by engaging them in coastal farms and ghers other wise food for work, VGF system can be applied. So thus they will create no more pressure on the natural resource,jatka.

Setting of hauling net with the help of bamboo pole for the purpose of fishing or creating hindrance in the natural movement of Hilsa must be protected. It should be constituted mobile team, combing the Navy, coastguard (where possible), leaders, police department, districts administrations, officials of DOF. The hilsa management action plans on the basis of research made fruitful Deposited silt should be removed from the river bed. People should be made aware of the drawbacks of jatka fishing with the help of advertisement through radio, television & publications.

Conclusion:
The habitats breeding grounds has been changed hampered day by day in Bangladesh with the natural environmental imbalance specially with the geographical changes of rivers which caused by Farakka Bandh. Among them some habitat breeding grounds has been lost forever and some are on the way. In this circumstance, considering the importance and present situation of hilsa resource, proper management and regulation is essential.

References
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 1991. Report of the Upazila Development Monitoring Project 1990, Vol. - II, June. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), 2000. Hilsa Fisheries Research in
Bangladesh. Annul report, 2000 (unpublished)

The daily star Department of fisheries (DoF), 2005-2006. Fish Catch Statistics, various issues.
Department of Fisheries, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. .Arnason. R. 1984. Efficient fisheries: The case of the Icelandic Demarsal fisheries. Ph. D thesis. University of British Colambia