Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Abstract

Fish species, fishing gear and crafts in the most polluted river Buriganga were inventorial. During December, 2012 to November, 2013, a total of 56 fish species belonging to 20 families and 9 orders were recorded. Cypriniformes observed to be the most dominant order with 18 species (32%). The highest fish diversity was recorded during monsoon season, and lowest during winter. Maximum diversity variance (7.616 ± 2.76 Sd) observed in the monsoon season for 56 species (220 individuals). Also 12 different types of gears of two categories (active and passive) and two types of crafts were observed to be used for fishing in the study area. The highest number of species of fishes (n = 56) recorded in August and lowest (n = 3) in April and May 2013. Strong correlation between water depth and number of fish species (r = 0.74) and fishing activities (r = 0.96) was observed.

Citation: Baki, MA., Hossain, M.M.* and Bhouiyan, NA. (2016) Fish species diversity, fishing gears and crafts from the Buriganga river, Dhaka. Bangladesh Journal of Zoology, DOI:10.3329/bjz.v45i1.34190.

Abstract

The Buriganga River has served as the central artery to economic life in Dhaka city for centuries. But Buriganga River is the most polluted river in Bangladesh. During the study period (December 2012 to November 2013), we directly observed freshwater habitats and fishing activities by boat-base survey from china-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge (90°26´12'' E and 23°40´25''N) to Amin bazar Bridge (90°20´12''E and 23°46´25''N) in the Buriganga River. Freshwater habitats were observed at babu bazar, kamrangichar, kholamora ghat and shadar ghat throughout the year in the River. Different types of fishes, fishing gears and crafts were observed and fish samples were collected directly from fishermen during fishing time to confirm identification. A total of 32 species were recorded from three gears in the river. Maximum numbers of plastic jar, Current Jal (gill net) and Veshal Jal (lift net) were operated in October and August 2013 in the river. Different ages of men, women, and children were fishing within flood vegetation by different sizes of plastic jars and small nets where maximum numbers of Heteropneustes fossilis, Mastacembelus armatus, Mastacembelus pancalus, Colisa fasciata and Glossogobius giuris were recorded at Kamrangichar in the river. Water transparency level was high in July 2013 in the Buriganga River.

Citation: Hossain, M.M.*, Baki, MA.(2014) Freshwater Habitats and Fishing Activities in the Buriganga River, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 1st INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY & AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT HydroMedit-2014. University of Thessaly. Volos , Greece. Pp 318-324.

Abstract

The aquatic mammalian species is the best indicator for the health of water specially dolphins. Due to human anthropogenic activities, dolphin survival rate and movement are reduced. The dreadful conditions of coastal habitats can have major concerns for dolphin population and distribution. Some dolphins swim in a short distance and some swim in a long distance. Southeast Asia is a significant geographical region for dolphin conservation. Several dolphins are highly important for the maritime area of Bangladesh that were sighted in the coastal and marine water such as Irrawaddy dolphin, Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin, Bottlenose dolphin, Spotted dolphin, Spinner dolphin, and Ganges dolphins. Marine protected area (MPA) is a valuable zone for dolphin conservation as well as biological species. This primary information of dolphins helps for further investigation in the Bangladeshi water. The research action plan must be considered with coastal habitat, marine protected area and fishing community to conserve dolphins. We should be concerned about dolphin conservation through local and international community to develop the environment and the blue economy. Local community directly involved in the maritime area due to livelihood opportunities.

Citation: Hossain, MM. 2022. Perspective Chapter: Status of Dolphin in the Maritime Area of Bangladesh. Pp 1- 10. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.102022.  

https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/80211#

Ganges River dolphins live in different river systems of Bangladesh—both inland and estuaries. A case study was carried out in the Buriganga River from December 2012 to November 2013. The river is under intense anthropogenic pressures caused by urban occupation of the surrounding areas and by the use of the water body. Also, water pollution, human intervention, and water traffic were observed to be the major threats for dolphins. In the meantime, a total of 34 sightings of dolphins were recorded both in individuals and in groups. The mean density was 0.38 (SD ± 0.37) dolphins/km² with the highest density of dolphin observed also in the month of November, which was 1.14 dolphins/km². We encountered the dolphins at the rate of 0.48 dolphins/km in the river. So we need to conserve Buriganga river ecology which can save the river dolphin.

But day by day dolphin mortality increases in Bangladesh. Here, habitat loss due to river and floodplain encroachment and lack of fish fauna during December to May, coupled with pollution, urges our attention to immediate conservation. Dolphins are listed as endangered in Bangladesh by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to human intervention, illegal development, and water pollution. Without an immediate and concerted conservation effort, river dolphins will almost certainly become extinct locally and perhaps nationally in the near future. Additionally, Sonadia Island is known for its importance as a habitat of globally threatened shorebirds such as critically endangered spoon-billed sandpipers and endangered Nordmann's greenshanks and great knots. The Department of Zoology at Jagannath University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has been working on Sonadia to save these species since 2014. Sonadia Island is a part of the Moheskhali upazila (district) located between 21°28′26.92″N; 91°55′53.74″E and 21°32′49.47″N 91°50′38.45″E. During these studies, researchers observed the deaths of several Ganges River dolphins. This has not yet been studied but deserves special attention.

Citation: Hossain, MM; Alam, SMI; Baki, MB; Bhouiyan, NA. 2016.  Ganges River Dolphin https://doi.org/10.1002/bes2.1227