Socio-economic Fishermen Fishing TeknafStudy was conducted on the socio-economic conditions of the fishermen in Teknaf to evaluate fishermen livelihood and social status for a period of one year from March, 2014 to April, 2015. Data were collected in terms of income generation, age distribution, housing, literacy rate, health and sanitation facilities of the fishermen. Fishing was regarded as the major source of income of the traditional fishermen but occasionally they undertook a variety of non-fishery related activities, which constituted a substantial part of their annual income. Among 105 fishermen interviewed, 59.25% were below 30 years, 29.62% were between 30 and 39 years, and the remaining 11.11% were more than 40 years old, and their literacy level was 62.96% illiterate, 18.51% can write their names, 14.81% had received education up to primary level and 3.70% had received secondary education. Income distribution showed significant inequality between marginal and non-marginal fishermen from group fishing. The national and local NGO like BRAC, ASA provided credit only to the organized poor members to purchase fishing gears and boats but the amount of credit provided by the NGOs was insufficient and could not commensurate to the poor people's actual need. The present study revealed that sanitary conditions of the fishermen were very poor that 25% fishermen have semi-constructed and 10% of the fishermen had no sanitary facilities. Most of the fishermen (65%) have un-constructed sanitary facilities. The present study suggested that there is a clear need to legalize fishing profession and their settlement as well as traditional fishing communities should be given priority in getting necessary supports from all concerns. Ghosh et. al Socio-economic conditions of the fishermen in TeknafRes.

A study was conducted to investigate marketing channel and value chain analysis of some commercially important marine fish species available in Cox’s Bazar area, Bangladesh. Three commercially important marine fish species were investigated in respect to their marketing channel and value analysis: 1) Pomfret, Stromateus chinensis, 2) Jewfish, Otolithoides argenteus and 3) Hilsha, Tenualosa ilisha. Three marketing channels mainly encompasses from fishermen to consumers, namely the primary, secondary and retail markets involving sales agents, suppliers, wholesalers, commission agents, processors and retailers. A total of 120 fishermen and intermediaries involved in the channels were interviewed. A large number of intermediaries were found to be involved in the marketing channel and this group is believed to make huge profit, thus the prices of fishes were very high in the final consumer market. Marketing margin and profit also analyzed. Marketing margin for Pomfret fish, Jewfish and Hilsha were 21%, 27% and 27% of consumer purchase price, respectively. Poor road and transport facilities and large number of intermediaries in the chain were some of the major problems of marine fish marketing chain. It was therefore necessary to provide organizational support, government support, extension service and training facilities to the market operators for sustainable fish marketing systems.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(1): 195-201, April 2016