Study On Present Fisheries Status Of Chalan Beel In Natore

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the present fishery status of Chalan beel in Natore. It was conducted from August 2002 to July 2003 in Chalan beel floodplain. The investigation was designed with the assessment of water quality, fish species composition, fishing systems, marketing profile of the study area. There were considerable fluctuation ill transparency and water depth but no considerable fluctuation in temperature, D.O. and pH. The highest water depth was found highest level 3.76 m. in August 2002 whereas the lowest level was .378 m. in April 2003. In Chalan beel, water transparency was highest 27.5 em. in October 2002 and lowest was 12.5 cm. in June 2003. The maximum water temperature was 31.70 C in July 2003 and the minimum was 18.6° C in January 2003. The dissolved oxygen of water was recorded as highest level of 5.78 in January 2003 and lowest level was 4.48 in March 2003. The water pH was measured to be 8.4 at maximum level in August 2002 and the minimum level was 7.1 in March and April 2003. Great diversity with regard to species composition was seen. A total 84 species of fish and 3 species of shrimps were identified. A total 5 types of crafts and 37 types of fishing gear were found to be presently used in the floodplains. In the study area, the marketing channel was associated with primary market, secondary market, higher secondary market and distribution market. In the market, the fish was landed at peak level in November whereas the down season was ranged from March to April. In the preservation system, fish was iced and dried. It was observed that most of this beel had considerable coverage of paddy and therefore is dominated with a detritus food chain. The extent and length of flooding was found to govern the limno-biology of flood plains, but the habitat diversity was also important factor determining beel productivity. Chalan beel floodplain fishery is regarded as an important source of food and income for poor fishermen and farmers.