Abstract

The study was conducted to have knowledge regarding the artisanal fishing in the Mohananda River adjacent to Chapai Nawabgonj district of Bangladesh understanding the efficiency of fishing gears and techniques as well as fishing craft. A survey of 30 artisanal fishermen from 2 unions (Alinagar and Sontospur) of Gomostapur upazila Chapai Nawabgonj was conducted to address as well as collected the data from September, 2024 to February, 2025. A total of 13 fishing gears, among them 6 types of fishing nets (gill net, seine net, lift net, cast net, drag net, fix purse net) 2 types of hooks and lines (sip borshi and daun), 4 types of fishing trap (kholsun, bitte, polo and dohair) were observed in the present study. In case of fishing nets, the highest construction cost is found in purse nets (BDT 5 lakhs), and lowest cost in gill nets (BDT 8500). The catch per unit effort (CPUE) also varied among gears, with values recorded as: gill nets (3–8.75 kg/effort), seine nets (5–12), lift nets (1–1.5), cast nets (2.5–10), drag/push nets (1–3), and fixed purse nets (5.6–11.6). In case of trap, the highest construction cost is observed in kholsun (BDT 4000), and lowest cost in dohair (BDT 800). The corresponding CPUEs ranged from 1.5–2 kg (Bitte), 2–3 kg (Kholsan , 1–2.5 kg (Polo), and 2–2.5 kg (Dohair), respectively. In case of hooks and lines the highest construction cost is BDT 800 and CPUE is 400-800 gm (daun) and lowest cost is BDT 300 and CPUE is 400-700 gm (sip borsi). The making cost of daun is BDT 400-800 and CPUE is 1-1.5 kg. The making cost of traps are ranged from BDT 500-1000 to BDT 1000-4000. The main craft of the study area is non-motorized boats which ownership varies among the fisherman. Two types of fishing boats (Kosa boat and dingi boat) are observed in the study area. The construction cost are ranged between BDT 7000-12000.