1. Introduction

Fish and fishing business is an important sector of many nations of the world from the standpoint of income and employment generation. Fishing plays an important role in supporting livelihood worldwide and also forms an important source of diet for over one billion people ^[1]. Fisheries sector of Bangladesh is the most dynamic sector which has great contribution to national income. Fisheries resources of the country are generally classified into inland and marine water fisheries. Inland fisheries comprise of capture (open water fishery) and culture (closed water fisheries) based fisheries. Inland water resources of Bangladesh are considered to be one of the richest resources in the world both in area and potential for Fisheries Development ^[2]. The inland aquatic habitats of Bangladesh are rich in faunal diversity containing at least 293 species of finfish, 63 species of prawn, several species of turtles, tortoises, freshwater mussels and other living aquatic organisms ^[3]. This sector therefore contributes about 3.69% in GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and 22.76% in agricultural GDP and supply about 60% animal protein consumption. About 11% of the populace is reliant on directly and indirectly of this dynamic sectors for their living ^[4]. The sector also recognized as cheap source of protein, employment opportunities, food security, foreign incomes and socio-economic improvement ^[5]. Hence, Fisheries sector of the country has great influence on the livelihood of the people of Bangladesh in terms of nutrition supply, employment generation and foreign exchange earnings. Livelihood comprises the capabilities, the assets (natural, physical, human, financial and social capital), the activities and the accesses to these (mediated by institutions and social relations) that together determine the living gained by the individual household ^[6]. Livelihood includes some vital characteristics of the people directly linked with heir sources of income, earning pattern and occupation having relevance with their age, health, education, assets, technical issues, food and nutrition, sanitation, credit availability and membership with social association.

In Sirajganj Sadar, the prominent fresh water resource is Jamuna River contributing huge aquatic resources for dramatic changes of lifeline of thousands of fisher folk community. Fisheries of Jamuna River in terms of food supply and source of income has a great support for many riverine fishermen living around the coast of the river. But, at present time, reduction in the abundance and fish species from the water is a burning issue which has great deleterious impression on fishermen. At present, fishermen are one of the most vulnerable communities in the world as well as Bangladesh. They are poor by any standard and over the years the economic condition of the fishermen had further deteriorated ^[7]. This scenario is also applicable for the fisher community of Jamuna River around Sirajganj Sadar fish landing site. Most of fisher’s community are hand to mouth and cannot get facilities which are provided. They are dominated by others especially political leaders, artistic person of the society. As a result, trying hard but their socio-economic condition cannot be changed. A detailed study on socio- economic condition of the fishers, fish species and the fishing gears of the Jamuna river system together has not been documented earlier in Sadar upazilla in Sirajganj district. The present study has been pledged to evaluate the socio-economic conditions of the fishermen as well as fishing gear used in Jamuna River.

2. Materials and Methods

The present investigation was carried out in Jamuna River located at Sadar upazila under Sirajganj district fish landing site (Figure 1). Sirajganj district has area of 2497.92 sq. km, located in between 24°01' and 24°47'N latitudes and 89°15' and 89°59'E longitudes. The Jamuna River is the widest river in the country and its length is 276 km. The previous name of this river is Jonai and it is flow over the Natore, Pabna and Sirajgonj district. The study was conducted for a period of 1 year and 6 months from August 2014 to February 2016.

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Figure 1. Geographical location of study area with the red mark indicates; (A) Map of Sirajganj district and (B) Satellite view of Sirajganj district and Jamuna River

For collecting data, some steps has been followed such as primary data collection, observation in fields, face to face interviewed. For collecting a primary data, a simple hand made questionnary was made. Data was collected on the basis of age group, religion, occupation, educational, sanitary condition, electricity, housing condition, daily income, refrigerator, television etc. by employing PRP tools like FGD (Focus Group Discussion), Key Informants (KI) with the fisher community. Each respondent was asked at least for 30-45 minutes. Again, Secondar data was collected from books, journals, NGO, Upazila fisheries officer etc.

The fishing gears including their mesh size, price per meter and catching season of fish were surveyed by face to face interviewed with the fishermen. The fishing gears were categorized under different major groups followed by Ahmed ^[8].

Fish sample of different gears were collected and then identified based on their taxonomic characteristics. The collected specimens were identified to species level with the help of standard taxonomic keys followed by Talwar and Jhingran ^[9] and Rahman ^[10].

All the collected data and information are accumulated for selection. After processing and calculated carefully, most acceptable data should given place. All sclected data are analyzed in MS Excel 2010. Then it is presented in textual, tabular and graphical form for easy understanding of present findings.

3. Results

Numbers of fishing gear were practiced in Jamuna River to catch the fish and other related aquatic organisms. The surveyed result identified total 11 types on fishing net under 5 major groups such as Gill net (Current jal, Nagini jal, Chandi jal), Push net (Thela and Moiya jal), Cast net (Jhaki jal), Hook and line (Barshi, Wheel Barshi, Down Barshi/ Hajari Barshi, Daina Borshi, Seine net (Ber jal) etc. (Table 1).

Table 1. List of fishing gears with their mesh size, market price and fish capturing seasons

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Species specificity of fishing gears exposed Current jal and Chandi jal under the group of gill net was accountable to catch all types of fish species, Ber jal under the major group of seine net also has great contribution to catch fish species (Table 2).

Table 2. Illustration of species specificity of fishing gears recorded from Jamuna River

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Table 3 represents different fish species with their English and local name recorded during the study period. A total of 55 species under 44 genera and 28 families were identified from River Jamuna. Among families Cyprinidae contributes highest number (10 species) of species and genus (7 genera) which was followed by Schilbeidae has 4 species under 4 different genera, Osphronemidae responsible for 3 species under 2 genera and maximum family has single species with single genus (Figure 2).

A fisherman cannot get enough fish around the year. It is almost evidence that rainy season (June-September) is the most suitable time to get more fish species. In this time the river is fulfill of water and it is the breeding season of fishes. But in the dry season (November -March) it is relatively inverse condition. In this season river is almost drying out. In that season fishers cannot get enough work to do it. So, that time they passed their leisure time.

Table 3. Systematic position of finfish species with their English and local name recorded from Jamuna River

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Figure 2. Name of fish families with species and genus composition recorded from Jamuna River

Depending on age structure, fishermen from this study were categorized under three different group’s viz., young, middle and old age fishermen. Among them middle age was composed the highest number (62%) which profession only fishing, whereas only 23% fishermen had age between 10-30 who involved in fishing when got time besides business and rest 15% had age above 50 and their engagement in fishing was recognized as part time and seasonal fishermen (Table 4).

Table 4. Age distribution of Jamuna River fishermen recorded during study period

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Figure 3. Age distribution of riverine Jamuna fishermen

The study area was dominated by only two religious groups; one group from Muslim and another group from Hindu. The surveyed result indicated that highest number 83 (69%) of fishermen were from Muslim and lowest number about 37 (31%) fishermen from Hindus group engaged in fishing and fish business like activities.

In this study, family sizes of fisherman were divided into three categories according to the numbers. Only 18% had members 7-10 as large family. Most families had only (48%) members 5-6 as medium family, 21% had members above 7 as large family and 32% had members 2-4 as small family.

The present study revealed that about 74 (62%) fishermen were engaged in fishing as their main occupation. Besides, some of them were engaged in fishing where their secondary profession was found as agriculture and their number was 28 (23%) and remaining 18 (15%) fishermen were associated in fishing as a means of recreation purposes (Table 5).

Table 5. Occupational status of Jamuna River fishermen recorded during study period

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In the study area it was found that almost all fishers are illiterate. Most of the fishermen (53%) in the study area had no education whereas only small portion of them had primary education level (8%), 16% had class pass certificate and only 23% fishermen can sign (Table 6). From the evaluation it was found that, none of the fishermen had the secondary level education.

Table 6. Educational statistics of Jamuna River fishermen recorded during study period

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Figure 4. Educational status of riverine Jamuna fishermen

The income of fishermen depends on fishing instruments such as fishing boats, gears, man power, fishing nets, length and mesh size of fishing nets etc. It was identified that 27% fishermen earned approximately 3$ per day classified as very low income level fishers, 33% fishermen earned 3-7$ classified as medium low income level fishers, 20% of fishers earned about 8-12$ classified as low income level fishers, 7% of fishers earned 12- 15$ classified as medium high income level fishers and 13% of fishers earned up to 15-25$ or more where they are owner of fishing boats and nets categorized as high income level fishers.

The fisherman of the study area were facing sanitary problems. It was observed that sanitary conditions of the fisherman were very poor. Only 13% toilets of fisher community were paka (made of brick with cement and well drainage system) and 25% toilets were ring slap and wooden house. 43% fishermen were used normal condition toilets which made from tin, bamboo, straw, coconut leaf etc and rest 18% fishermen had no sanitary facilities (Table 7).

Table 7. Sanitary condition of Jamuna River fishermen recorded during study period

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In the study area it was revealed that only 31% of fishermen had electricity facilities, 8% used solar power to light the house and 61% had no electricity.

In the investigation area the nature of fishermen house was not good. Because only 7 % house of fishermen was to be found made from brick and cement termed as building house, 27% used tin shade house which known as midlist family of fishermen. Most of the houses were made of wood and tin and it was about 53% and 13% fishermen used normal house which made of straw, bamboo, jute stick etc.

Table 8. Housing condition of Jamuna River fishermen recorded during study period

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The present study revealed that fishermen had been facing severe health problems. It was observed that the highest 48% of fishermen were dependent on upazila health complex, 11% got health service from village doctor, 22% got health service both from upazila health complex and village doctor and rest 19% of the fishermen got health service both from MBBS doctor and upazila health complex.

Refrigerator facilities of fishermen were found in very miserable condition. Only 38% fisher family used it in modern era and 62 % of families have no refrigerator.

There are different types of media elements in these fishing villages. About 23% family used color television, mobile and 16% family used white and black television for recreational purposes and major portion (61%) of fishermen family had no television where they used radio for recreational purpose.

Socio economic constraints such as lack of modern fishing gears, fishing vessels, skills of fishing, illiteracy, population pressure, low economic status, exploitation by artistic persons and river pollution are the main problems for the Jamuna River fisher community. Most of the members of fisher family are illiterate and live from hand to mouth. Being very poor their children often go for fishing rather than going school to sustain life. As a result, generation after generation they remain illiterate and not being able to contribute to the betterment of their community. Fishermen live below the poverty line and are struggling to survive with health, nutrition and house buildings materials as their day to day problems.

4. Discussion

Generally fishing gear is one kind of equipment which used for harvesting of aquatic resources especially fish ^[11]. Fisherman caught fish in the Jamuna River by using different types of gears like Gill net (Current jal, Nagini jal, Chandi jal), Push net (Thela and Moiya jal), Cast net (Jhaki jal), Hook and line (Barshi, Wheel Barshi, Down Barshi/ Hajari Barshi, Daina Borshi, Seine net (Ber jal) etc. Species specificity of fishing net identified that Current jal under the group of Gill net was found to catch fish indiscriminately. Others gears like Ber jal and Chandi jal also responsible for good number of fish species. However, Islam et al. ^[12] noted only 12 types of fishing gears from Rupsha River which classified into four types: fish net, fish trap, hook and line and wounding gear. Mesh size of the gears varies from net to net, depending on species caught, season and water bodies. This was due to specific gears was constructed to catch specific fish species from an aquatic environment. The present findings of mesh size of different gears were supported by the study of Rahman et al. ^[11].

The river Jamuna is the harbor of plentiful aquatic bio-resources. A total of 55 species under 44 genera and 28 families were identified from River Jamuna. These species of fishes has great influence on the life line of thousands of fisher living around the coast of the river. The present investigation was supported by Rahman et al. ^[13] whom described total 57 species of fishes under 10 orders and 28 families from Paira River. Another study by Rahman et al. ^[11] identified 54 species of fishes under 10 orders and 27 families from Rabnabad channel.

Socioeconomic condition of the Jamuna River fishermen were studied in terms of age, religion, education, family size, housing condition, sanitary facilities, health facilities, electricity facilities, occupation, income, recreational facilities etc. Socio economic conditions of the fisher's communities in Jamuna River around Sirajganj district were not satisfactory. The fishermen were deprived of many amenities. Most of the river fishermen (62%) belonged to the age group of 31-50 years (Figure 3). It was found that 83% of the fishermen were Muslims and 31% were Hindus. Bhaumik and Saha ^[14] reported that age structure of fishermen at Sundarbans was ranged from 20 to 70 years. Religious status of fishermen were studied by Rahmatullah et al. ^[15] and reported that majority of the fishermen (95%) were the Muslim’s and 5% of fishermen were Hindu’s with no Buddhist or Christian. The present findings suggested that most of the fishermen had medium size family (4-5 members only). Study on fishermen livelihood from Atrai and Kankra Rivers had 40% families were small (2-4 person), 56% families were medium (5-7 person) and 4% families were large (8 person and above) ^[16]. Fishing was found as the dominant occupation of riverine fisher community of Jamuna River. The present finding was supported by Alam et al. ^[17] whom described fishing is the main income source for fishermen. Due to low income level most of the fishermen were found illiterate (Figure 4). Kabir ^[18] reported that most of the fishermen are illiterate (88%), small portion of them can sign only (2%) and some are primary level of educated (10%). Daily income of fisher community depends on fishing instruments, fishing season, fishing technique as well as fishing effort. For daily income the fisher community in the study area go out of home early in the morning and stay on a day and back home the next day. Das et al. ^[19] showed that 17 % of the fishermen earn monthly income ranged only 0-25 US$. Sanitary facilities in study area were found unsatisfactory level due to low income and awareness. However, Sharker et al. ^[20] recorded that, most of the people about 76% are used kacha latrines (Made of bamboo with leaf and inadequate drainage system) and rest of the 17 % used semi pacca (made of tin or wood with inadequate drainage system) and 7% of fisher was used as pacca latrine (made of brick with cement and well drainage system). Majority house of fishermen had no electricity. Hossain et al. ^[21] point out that about 36% of the fishermen were far away from electricity facilities. The condition of house shows the social status of any family. The total statistical analysis shows that the financial conditions of fishermen are not good forever. Reza et al. ^[16] reported that about 84% fishermen had kacha house while 16% had semi-paka house and none had paka house ^[14]. Major portion of fisher family had no recreation facilities. Sumi et al. ^[22] reported that about 76% of the fishermen had television/ radio and 24% did not use television/ radio for their recreational purpose and also for getting national news.

5. Conclusion

Fisheries sector of Bangladesh are considered as the most profitable business and socio-economic improvement sector. Its role in increasing food supply, generation job opportunities, raising nutritional level and earning foreign exchange has been important. But due to over exploitation, environmental hazards the supply of fish from open water resources are in declining condition which ultimately has a great bad impact on the livelihood of fisher community. The study demonstrated that the economic condition of the fishermen of Jamuna River around Sirajganj Sadar fish landing site was not satisfactory due to lack of education, sanitation, housing condition livelihood facilities etc. Most of fishermen have no enough fishing instruments to capture fish. Moreover, they lack of knowledge about modern fishing gears and technology. They are deprived and dominant by the owner. Due to lack of awareness and qualified doctor their health condition is not good enough. So, government should be awarded to improve their socio economic condition and provide necessary funds during fish banning season which help to increase the fish production and reach the country one step ahead. Besides, NGOs have an important role to improve their livelihood style by giving loan, credits and creating awareness. So, GO and NGO should come forward to take proper steps and assist to improve the socio-economic condition of riverine fisher community.

Acknowledgements

The authors expressed heartfelt thanks to the fisher folk community of Jamuna River around Sirajganj Sadar fish landing site for their kind information throughout the research work and preparing the final manuscript.

Statement of Competing Interests

The authors have no competing interests

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