Community-based Resource Management Approaches Adopted in the Three Tributaries of River Surma, North-East Bangladesh

摘要

Background and Objective: Freshwater fishery resources are declining in Bangladesh due to over exploitation, anthropogenic causes and inadequate management. To improve sustainability of these resources, a community-based resource management initiative was implemented by Bangladesh#146;s Local Government and Engineering Department. Working in partnership with community-based resource management the communities implemented a variety of management interventions. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of community-based management on fisheries production and biodiversity. Materials and Methods: An investigation was performed from 2008-2012 to assess the impacts of community-based management on fisheries production and biodiversity of the three tributaries-Sudam Khali river, Ghotghatia river and Abua Prokashito Nainda river-in North-East Bangladesh. A robust catch assessment was observed for 8 days per month, per site. Randomly selected samples of catch by species by gear are recorded for each gear type observed to be operated on the same day. Results: The study revealed that from 2008-2012 annual fisheries catch increased by 44 and 142% in Sudam Khali and Ghotghatia river tributaries respectively, but decreased by 26% in the Abua Prokashito Nainda river tributary, as compared to the baseline composition. Species diversity was higher in 2012 than in 2008 and increased by 75, 81 and 71% in Sudam Khali river, Ghotghatia river and Abua Prokashito Nainda river tributaries, respectively. Conclusion: The study has provided evidence that community-based resource management approaches aimed at river tributaries improve fisheries production and diversity, while also reducing the threat of climate change impacts on the poor people.