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Community-Driven Insights into Fish Assemblage, Microhabitats, and Management Strategies in the Meghna River Basin of Bangladesh

Author

Listed:
  • Mst. Armina Sultana

    (Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh)

  • Md. Ashraf Hussain

    (Department of Fisheries Technology and Quality Control, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh)

  • Petra Schneider

    (Department for Water, Environment, Civil Engineering and Safety, University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal, Breitscheidstraße 2, D-39114 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Md. Nahiduzzaman

    (WorldFish Bangladesh, South Asia Office, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh)

  • Benoy Kumar Barman

    (WorldFish Bangladesh, South Asia Office, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh)

  • Md. Abdul Wahab

    (WorldFish Bangladesh, South Asia Office, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh
    Center for Blue Resources Development—CBRD, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh)

  • Mohammad Mojibul Hoque Mozumder

    (Fisheries and Environmental Management Group, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, 0014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Mrityunjoy Kunda

    (Department of Aquatic Resource Management, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh)

Abstract

The present study aimed to delve into the local ecological knowledge of fisheries in the Meghna River Basin (MRB) of Bangladesh by exploring the insights and perspectives of local communities. A survey was administered among six fishing communities from five districts along the MRB between August 2015 and January 2016 to accumulate data for this study. The study sites were selected meticulously based on three crucial criteria: upstream river, coastal area, and fish sanctuaries, which covered three major rivers, namely the Meghna, Andharmanik, and Payra. The study employed participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools, including 120 individual interviews using purposive sampling, 25 focus group discussions, and 36 key informant interviews. The study identified the ten most frequently caught fish species along with their temporal and spatial variation as reported by the respondents. Nine of these species fell into the least concern category, which indicate their stable population status. Meanwhile, six out of ten species cited as highly caught in the previous one to two decades belong to the threatened or near-threatened category. Findings also reveal that fishers are able to recognize important microhabitats of the study area and their significance for fish species. In addition, fishers identified the negative drivers of ecosystem degradation as well as suggested several management measures to address these challenges. The results of this study underscore the critical role of engaging with local communities and integrating their ecological knowledge into initiatives for the sustainable exploitation and conservation of aquatic resources in the MRB.

Suggested Citation

  • Mst. Armina Sultana & Md. Ashraf Hussain & Petra Schneider & Md. Nahiduzzaman & Benoy Kumar Barman & Md. Abdul Wahab & Mohammad Mojibul Hoque Mozumder & Mrityunjoy Kunda, 2023. "Community-Driven Insights into Fish Assemblage, Microhabitats, and Management Strategies in the Meghna River Basin of Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:14:p:11466-:d:1201417
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Renato Silvano & John Valbo-Jørgensen, 2008. "Beyond fishermen’s tales: contributions of fishers’ local ecological knowledge to fish ecology and fisheries management," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 10(5), pages 657-675, October.
    2. Mohammad Mahmudul Islam & Rumana Aktar & Md. Nahiduzzaman & Benoy Kumar Barman & Md. Abdul Wahab, 2018. "Social Considerations of Large River Sanctuaries: A Case Study from the Hilsa Shad Fishery in Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Anuradha Talukdar & Petra Schneider & Amany Begum & Md. Abu Kawsar & Mst. Armina Sultana & Tofael Ahmed Sumon & Md. Rashed-Un- Nabi & Mohammad Mojibul Hoque Mozumder & Md. Mostafa Shamsuzzaman, 2022. "The Premium of Hilsa Sanctuary: A Socio-Economic and Ecological Evaluation from the Meghna Estuary, Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-13, June.
    4. Mohammad Mojibul Hoque Mozumder & Md. Abdul Wahab & Simo Sarkki & Petra Schneider & Mohammad Mahmudul Islam, 2018. "Enhancing Social Resilience of the Coastal Fishing Communities: A Case Study of Hilsa ( Tenualosa Ilisha H.) Fishery in Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-21, September.
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