ISSN: 2577-4050
Authors: Mst. Niloy J, Md. Mahmudul H, Md. Abu Sayed R, Sukrit KD and Md. Sazedul H*
Payra River is one of the most important coastal rivers in the Patuakhali district which serve as feeding, breeding and nursing ground for the different fish species. The present study was conducted to estimate the gear used in the Payra River and species composition with this gear during the period of 1st august 2017 to July 2018. The data were collected every week in face to face interview through the study period. A wide variety of fishing gears were operated throughout the year in the study area for commercial fishing. From the study, a total of eighteen types of fishing gear were identified under nine major categorizes described as Gill nets (Current jal, Dandi jal, Chandi jal, Poa jal, Ramsos jal, Ayre jal), Seine net (Ber jal), Fixed purse net (Behundi Jal and Chargora jal), Lift nets (Dharma jal), Push net (Thela jal and Moiya jal) ,Cast net (Jhaki jal) Traps (Pungus Chai, Anta), Hook & Line ( Chip Barshi, Chara Barshi) and Wounding gear (Koach). Among the fishing gears higher amount of fish were caught by Chandi Jal (36.5 kg) and lower amount of fish were caught by Chip borshi (1.5 kg). In the Dandi Jal, Poa Jal, Current Jal, Ramsos jal, Ayre Jal, Behundi Jal, Chargara Jal, Ber Jal, Thela Jal, Moiya Jal, Dharma Jal, Jhaki Jal, Pangus chai, Anta, Chara borshi and koach the catch per day was identified 8.5 kg, 12 kg, 25.5 kg, 13 kg 15.4 kg, 19.5 kg, 12.5 kg, 17.7 kg, 2.5 kg, 4.5 kg, 6.5 kg, 2.8 kg, 5 kg, 2.25 kg, 7 kg and 2.5 kg respectively. Some of the gears were selective for a particular species like chandi jal, poa jal, ramsos jal and ayre jal. Behundi Jal and Ber jal were found to catch fish irrespective of their size or species and destroy the habitat of the wild species. An awareness or training program should be conducted to the fishermen to create awareness of the long-term effects of different fishing gears and to impart knowledge of fishing laws.
Keywords: Fishing Gear; Fish Diversity; Payra River; Gill Net