Inventory of Ichyofaunal Diversity, Fishing Gear and Craft in Turag River, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Biodiversity of many Bangladesh Rivers is seriously threatened by industrial and municipal pollution. The study was conducted in the Turag River starting from Amin Bazar bridge (23°47' N 90°20'E) to Kamarpara bridge (23°53' N 90°23'E). This inventory survey was sampled at a fortnightly interval usually between 7.00 am to 5.00 pm by a team using a boat from December 2012 to November 2013. Detailed information on catch by species, fish length and weight, different types of gear and craft were collected through direct observation. A total of 71 (65 indigenous and 6 exotic) fish species (under 25 families of 9 orders) have been identified. 17 different types of gears of two categories (active and passive gear) and 8 different types of crafts were observed to harvest fish in the study area. The survey revealed that rising floodwater stimulated an increase in fishing activities in the study area from July to October. Fish numbers were recorded lower from November to July (dry and pre-monsoon period) likely due to reduced water flow and adverse water quality of this river. A paired t-test indicate that fish species numbers were significantly difference between Dry and pre-monsoon (P=0.02), Dry and monsoon (P=0.02) and Dry and post-monsoon season (P=0.03) respectively. However, fisheries resources contribution is very limited for livelihood of the surrounding people.

The status of the fish diversity of the Turag River, Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…Diversity of fish of the present study indicated the poor status of fish diversity both qualitatively and quantitatively. On the other hand, Bhouiyan (2016) recorded 9 orders and 25 families in the Turag River which were somewhat higher than the present study [13] . Kamrujjaman and Nabi (2015) observed 18 families and 8 orders in the Bangshi River which were more or less similar to the present findings [18] .…”

“…Obviously, it seems very poor condition compared to other rivers in Bangladesh and might be due to the worst water quality of river which did not support the diversified fish species. And Bhouiyan (2016) and Hossain et al (2012) reported of 71 species of freshwater fishes (65 indigenous and 6 exotic species) and 53 species of finfishes respectively from the same river which were more than the present study and some other rivers of Bangladesh [13,14] . (Bhuiyan et al, 2008; Rahman et al, 2012) [15,16] .…”

Icthyofaunal Diversity in Jagannath University New Campus Area, Keraniganj, Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…The rivers also support a diverse range of aquatic life, including fish species. Some research has been carried out on the ichthyofaunal diversity of these rivers includes, Baki et al (2017) reported 56 fish species under 20 families and 9 orders from Buriganga river, Bhouiyan et al (2016) reported 71 species of fish under 25 families of 9 orders from Turag River and Miah et al (2010) reported 20 species of fishes belonging to 18 genera, under 10 families from Shitalakshya river at Siddirgonj area, Narayangonj. The plans are to build a new campus for the Jagannath University at Tegharia in Keraniganj.…”