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Introduction
1.1 Fisheries sector of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is blessed with a high potential inland freshwater area of about 45.75 lakh hectare which is suitable for fish production. In addition it has 1, 66,000 sq. km costal area for marine fisheries. Fisheries play a vital role in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. It is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. The fisheries sector accounted for about 3.74% of the gross domestic product (GDP), 4.04% of export earning and 20.87% of the agricultural production in 2007-2008. About 12.5 million people of Bangladesh directly or indirectly involved in different activities of fisheries sector for their livelihood. Nutritionally, fish provides about 63% of the total animal protein intake to the people of the country (DoF, 2009). It has emerged as a dynamic sector of the economy with a growth rate far in excess of other activities.

1.2 Inland fisheries resources

Bangladesh is enriched with her diversity of aquatic resources containing 260 species of inland freshwater finfish (Rahman, 2005). The inland fisheries contributed 80% of the total production and remaining 20% comes from the marine fisheries (DoF, 2009). Bangladesh is the third largest producer of inland capture fisheries in the world, after China and India (FAO, 1999).The inland water bodies have been supporting rich and diversified fisheries and thus the inland fisheries of Bangladesh are important to its people for their food security and livelihood (Hasan, 2004). In 2007-08 total fish production was 25, 63,296 metric tons; of which inland capture fisheries was 10, 60,181 metric tons (41.36%). Inland freshwater of Bangladesh comprises of rivers and estuaries, canals, ponds, beels (natural depressions often with permanent area of water), haors (bowl-shaped deeply flooded depressions), baors (channel of dead rivers), shrimp farms, Kaptai Lake, floodplains and polders/enclosures. These water bodies are used for both of fish culture and capture. The rivers are enriched perennial source of inland capture fisheries. Bangladesh is the country of rivers with a high potential of aquatic biodiversity where fish plays a very important role.
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1.3 Rivers of Bangladesh Bangladesh is a riverine country. A network of rivers (Fig 1) of which the Padma, the Meghna, the Brahmaputra, the Jamuna and the Karnaphully are important and their tributaries numbering about 230 with a total length of about 24,140 km. criss-cross the country and eventually flow down the Bay of Bangal (BBS, 2008). Annual flooding of the rivers inundates about 70% of the total land surface. The rivers of Bangladesh have a great importance in respect of fisheries and other hydrological and navigation benefits. Rivers are the migrator routes of fishes with adjacent floodplains and vice-versa.

Fig. 1: Map of Bangladesh showing main rivers and their tributaries (Banglapedia 2004)
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1.4 Fish Biodiversity

Bangladesh is a transitional zone of flora and fauna, because of its geographical settings and climatic characteristics. This country is rich in fish and aquatic resources, and other biodiversity. Bangladeshs water bodies are known to be the habitat of 260 freshwater fishes, 475 marine fishes, 23 exotic fishes and a number of other vertebrates and invertebrates. Among the documented aquatic fauna, finfish tops the list, followed by the crustaceans and mollusks. The major threats to freshwater biodiversity in Bangladesh are overexploitation, water removal, water pollution, massive destruction or degradation of fish habitat, and introduction and invasion of exotic species. Rapid extraction of fish seed stock (for aquaculture) as well as brood fish (for seed production and consumption) from natural water bodies combined with destructive and unregulated fishing practices (e.g., the use of destructive traps, pesticides, gillnets, complete dewatering of the water bodies) has threatened a number of valuable native species. Loss of aquatic habitat due to siltation, other anthropogenic activities such as dam construction (mainly for flood control, irrigation and drainage) unregulated construction of polders (natural depressions enclosed by embankments) and hydroelectric generation, and, unregulated construction of road networks have been major causes of freshwater species loss. In addition, freshwater resources are subjected to severe competition among multiple human stakeholders such as crop farming, aquaculture and industrial usage. Recent studies have shown that the number of freshwater fishes has been declining at an alarming rate. According to IUCN-Bangladesh (2000), 54 species of freshwater fishes are threatened in Bangladesh, and require immediate measures to protect and conserve them. Among the threatened species, 14 are categorized as vulnerable, 28 as endangered, and 12 as critically endangered; another 66 species are classified as data deficient, and only146 as not threatened. Globally, 179 cyprinid species have been recorded as threatened (Froese and Torres 1999). The Worlds Conservation Unions (IUCN) Red Book and reports from different countries listed 56 cyprinid species as threatened in 14 Asian countries. This list is likely not to be very comprehensive and hence there is the likelihood that far more fish species than those reported are either extinct or threatened (Froese and Torres 1999).
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1.5 Fish Biodiversity of the Jamuna River The Jamuna River is one of the main rivers of Bangladesh. It is the main channel of the Brahmaputra River when it flows out of India into Bangladesh. The Jamuna flows south; ending its independent existence as it joins the Padma near Goalundo Ghat. The Jamuna River plays an important role in supply of Inland open water capture fisheries. Every year large amount of fish is caught from it. Many portions of this river are breeding grounds of Indian major carps. Fish biodiversity of the Jamuna River was very rich in the past. Most of the fresh water fish species of Bangladesh was available in Jamuna River. Fish biodiversity of Jamuna River like many others of the country has been degrading due to many reasons such as over fishing, aquaculture practice, exotic species, habitat loss and degradation, sedimentation, pollution, alterations to hydrology, etc. and thus the availability of freshwater fish species have declined to a great extent over the years. In the Brahmaputra River (Tibet, Chaina. India and Bangladesh) which in Bangladesh becomes the Jamuna and merges with the Ganges (Padma) 80 fish species was found (Fish base.org. 2003). Shahjahan, et. al (2001) recorded a total of 38 species of fish in the catches of different gears used by the fishermen in an area of the Jamuna River (Dhanut Upazilla of Bogra district). Khan (2008) reported 21 species including one prawn during his survey on fishermen and status of capture fisheries in the Jamuna River under Sirajgong district. The general global trend of degradation of river environments has been depressing. Ecosystem integrity has often been undermined to such an extent that systems fail to support decent levels of aquatic life. As a result, the livelihoods of people, previously supported by this aquatic life, are seriously compromised (Coates, 1995). The riverine fisheries resources are declining day by day due to lack of proper management policy, over exploitation, unplanned establishment of flood control dam (FCD) and flood control drainage and irrigation dams. Moreover, due to rapid growth of population in Bangladesh and fast rate expansion of agricultural, pesticide usage domestic and industrial activities and discharge of municipal waste water to the rivers an unbalanced heavy pressure has been put on the fishery resources of the rivers over the decades (Jhingran, 1991).

2. Objectives of the study

The broad objective of the study is to measure the degradation of fish biodiversity of the Jamuna River taking place over time and its impact on livelihood of fishermen community. The specific objectives of the study are to:
i. ii. iii. iv.

know the present fish biodiversity of the Jamuna river find out the extent of degradation of fish biodiversity of the Jamuna river identify the different causes of fish biodiversity degradation measure the impact of fish biodiversity degradation on livelihood of fishermen community recommend the strategies for conservation of fish biodiversity of the Jamuna river

v.

3. Rational of the study

Degradation of aquatic biodiversity due to rapid climate change and other natural and human interventions is a burning issue in the present time. It is specially a great concern to the administrators, researchers, planers and policy makers of the developing countries like Bangladesh. Fish biodiversity of Bangladesh has been degrading due to many reasons such as over fishing, expansion of agriculture, pesticide usage, exotic species, habitat loss and degradation, sedimentation, water pollution, alterations to hydrology, dredging etc. one of the most potential sources of inland freshwater fishes in Bangladesh is river. In the past, our rivers were much enriched with almost all available freshwater fish species (260) and millions of professional fishermen were dependent on riverine fishery resources for their livelihood. At present both of fish species diversity and production of fish in the rivers has been declined to a large extent and many of them are either rare or at the verge of extinction. As a result, availability of fish for the fishermen has been declined day by day and poor fishers are becoming more marginalized and vulnerable. If this process continues for long time then fisheries resources of the country will destroy and our people especially the fishermen and other poor people living beside the river will suffer a lot. To save our valuable revirine fisheries resources and to protect our rural poor a comprehensive management plan is required for conservation of fish biodiversity of the rivers. For designing a perspective and realistic action plan for conservation of fish biodiversity of the rivers previous and present condition, causes of degradation should clearly be identify. This study is aimed to provide an overview
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on present status of fish biodiversity, fishing practices, gear used, catch assessment and relevant resources. It is also an attempt to measure the extent of degradation and identify the causes of degradation of fish biodiversity of the Jamuna River taking place over time and its impact on livelihood of fishermen community. In view point of that the present study is very much significant to make aware the development planners and policy makers to undertake initiatives to save of the important natural resources through proper recommendations and suggestions. The findings of the study will be instrumental to the planer and policy maker for designing a perspective and pragmatic plan for conservation of fish biodiversity of the Jamuna River and other similar rivers of the country. The findings will also be useful to the researchers and trainer working for the development of revirine fisheries. On the basis of the findings of the present study programme for the development of livelihood of fishermen would be undertaken. Besides, the findings would be useful to measure the changes on fish biodiversity of this river over times.

4. Scope of the study

The study will broadly be concentrated on the degradation of fish biodiversity of the Jamuna River and its impact on livelihood of fishermen community. Therefore, data will be collected covering the following areas:
i. ii. iii. iv. v.

previous fish biodiversity of the Jamuna river (from secondary sources) presently available fish species in the Jamuna river catch size of available fish species in the Jamuna river fishing gears presently used by the fishermen in the Jamuna river physico-chemical parameters of water of the Jamuna river extent of degradation of fish biodiversity of the Jamuna river causes of degradation of fish biodiversity government policy and programmes for conservation of fish biodiversity socio-economic condition of fishermen community the impact of fish biodiversity degradation on livelihood of fishermen community Coping pattern of fishermen community with degradation of fish biodiversity

vi.
vii. viii. ix.

x.
xi.

5. Methodology of the study 5.1 Study area

The proposed study will be conducted on the Jamuna River in Bangladesh. The Jamuna River originates in the Chemayung-Dung glacier, approximately at 3130'N and 820'E, 145 km from Parkha, an important trade centre between lake Manassarowar and Mount Kailas. Actually Jamuna is the downstream course of the Brahmaputra which took place after the earthquake and catastrophic flood in 1787. Presently the Brahmaputra continues southeast from Bahadurabad (Dewanganj upazila of Jamalpur district) as the old Brahmaputra and the river between Bahadurabad and Aricha is the Jamuna, not Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra-Jamuna is the second largest river in Bangladesh and one of the largest in the world, with its basin covering areas in Tibet, China, India and Bangladesh. It enters Bangladesh through Kurigram district (at the border of Kurigram Sadar and Ulipur upazilas). The total length of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River up to its confluence with the Ganges (Padma) within Bangladesh territory is 276 km long of which Jamuna is 205 km. The width of the river varies from 3 km to 18 km but the average width is about 10 km. In the rainy season the river is nowhere less than 5 km. broad. The river is in fact a multi-channel flow. Channels of many different sizes, from hundreds of meters to kilometres wide, and of different patterns including braiding, meandering and anatomizing pattern in the country. The gradient of the river in Bangladesh is 0.000077, decreasing to 0.00005 near the confluence with the Padma. The catchment of the mighty BrahmaputraJamuna River is about 5, 83,000 sq km of which 293,000 sq km are in Tibet, 241,000 sq km in India and only 47,000 sq km within Bangladesh.

5.2 Sample site

Three districts namely Bogra and Sirajgong are located at the middle region of the western side of the Jamuna River. Therefore, the study will be conducted on the Jamuna River under these two districts. Shariakandi and Sirajgong sadar Upzilla of Bogra and Sirajgong districts respectively will be selected as sample site as because these are the nearest Upzillas to the Jamuna River and biggest fish landing centre of each district.

5.3 Data collection method and instruments

Both primary and secondary data will be gathered for the study. Data on fish production (quantity) and climatic parameters of the Jamuna River will be collected from secondary sources like, Fishery Resource Survey System (FRSS) of DoF, Meteorological Department etc. Data on presently captured fish species will be collected from primary sources such as fish landing centre, whole sale market, and fishermen groups on different gears etc. through interview, FGD and observation using structured questionnaire, cheek list, format and guidelines. Data on livelihood of fishermen groups will be collected through direct interview and FGD with them. One main fish landing centre and whole sale market of each selected Upazilla will be visited once in a month for a period of 24 months continuously without any break. Besides, in every month of the data collection period one FGD will be conducted with each group of fishermen full time, part time and occasionalto collect information on captured fish species and used fishing gears.

5.4 Data entry and analysis

A data base will be developed for entering all collected data. Data will be processed and analyzed using appropriate statistical programme.

6. Detailed research plan

The proposed research will be carried out for a period of 36 months as per following time schedule. Sl. No. 1 2 3 Activities Literature review and preparation of dissertation proposal Data collection, entry, analysis and papers write up Thesis preparation and submission Duration 02 month 24 months 10 months

Researcher (Md. NurulAmin)

Supervisor (Dr.Md. Rafiqun Nabi) Professor Department of Zoology Jahangirnagar University

References
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). 2008. Statistical yearbook of Bangladesh. Statistics Divisions, Ministry of Planning, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka. Coates, D. 1995. Inland capture fisheries and enhancement: status, constraints and prospects for food security. Report of the International Conference on the Sustainable Contribution of Fisheries to Food Security, 4-9 December, 1995. Kyoto, Japan. Government of Japan. Document # KC/ FI/95/TECH/3. 85 p. Department of Fisheries (DoF). 2009. Fisheries Resources of Bangladesh. Souvenir, National Fisheries Week, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). 1999. Aquaculture production statistics (1988-97). FAO Fisheries Circular 815, (Rev. 11). FAO, Rome. Froese, R. and A. Torres. 1999. Fishes under threat: an analysis of the fishes in the 1996 IUCN Red List, p. 131-144. In R.S.V. Pullin, D.M. Bartley and J. Kooiman (eds). Towards policies for conservation and sustainable use of aquatic genetic resources. ICLARM Conf. Proc. 59, 277 p. Hasan, M.R. 2004. Oxbow lakes and floodplain fisheries sustainable livelihoods: A lesson from the wetland country, Bangladesh. Book of abstracts. Seventh INTECOL Interventional wetlands conference, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 25-30 July 2004. 122 p. IUCN Bangladesh. (2000). Red Book of Threatened Fishes of Bangladesh. IUCN- The World Conservation Union. 116 Jingran,V.G, 1991, Fish and Fisheries of India, Hindustan Publishing Corporation (India), Delhi. PP: 666. Khan, Macksood Alam, 2008, Fishermen and Status of Capture Fishery in the River Jamuna: A Case of Char Sthal Noahata of Sirajgang District. The Bangladesh Rural Development Studies, Vol.xii no.2 (2008). Rural Development Academy, Bogra, Bangladesh Rahman, A. K. A. (2005). Freshwater Fishes of Bangladesh. Second edition, Zoological Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Shahjahan, M et.al, 2001. Present Status of Fisheries in the Jamuna River. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences 4(9):1173-1175, 2001. Asian Network for Scientific Information.
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