Ichthyofaunal Diversity, Socio-Economic Status of Fisher Community, Gears Used and Techniques of Fish Catch in the Beels of Hajo, Kamrup District, Assam

摘要

Hajo revenue circle (26°5' N Latitude and 91°32' E Longitude) of Kamrup district, Assam, abounds in large number of beels. These beels have long been known for their very high fish production. Fishing is the only source of income for 25% of population residing in the villages surrounding the beels. The Garjan beel has 33 component beels. Various aspects of fish and fisheries and the fishing community dependant on it were investigated in detail over a period of four years (2003-2007). Rapid shrinking of beel areas, loss of beels due to siltation, heavy weed infestation and over-exploitation during breeding season were found to be some of the causes for depletion of indigenous fish fauna. The paper documents the ichthyofaunal diversity, use of different gears and two new innovative techniques for capturing different size groups of fishes and records the socio-economic status of the fisher community.