Sanctuary Status on Diversity and Production of Fish and Shellfish in Sunamganj Dekar Haor of Bangladesh

Abstract

To ascertain the sanctuary status on diversity and production of fishes data were collected through primary and secondary sources. A total of 64 species belonged to 48 genera including fish (57), freshwater prawns (2), crabs (1) and mollusks (4) were recorded. Of 57 fish species, 52 were indigenous and rest 5 exotic, which belonged to 9 orders and 24 families. Cypriniformes was the most dominant order with 33.33% of total fishes followed by Perciformes (24.56%), Siluriformes (22.81%), Channiformes (7.03%) and both Osteoglossiformes and Clupeiformes (3.51%). Rest orders showed comparatively less percentage. Cyprinidae occupied the highest position (29.82%) in fish population among recorded families. By percent contribution small indigenous species showed the highest contribution (38.86%) with the highest amount (1936.50 kg/ha) in total fish production than other groups. Average fish production in sanctuaries obtained as 4983.60 kg/ha, which is manifolds higher than haor fish production (408 kg/ha) in Bangladesh. Fifteen (15) fish species were found as threatened and categorized them into critically endangered (1), endangered (8) and vulnerable (6). Results of the study reveal that sanctuary has positive impact on diversity and production of fishes in the haor. Therefore, it may be concluded that restoration of threatened species, diversity of flora and fauna, and overall fish production may be increased in wetlands by establishing sanctuary.

Establishment of a fish sanctuary for conserving indigenous fishes in the largest freshwater swamp forest of Bangladesh: A community-based management approach

“…Cypriniformes was the most dominant order based on species richness, followed by Siluriformes, and Perciformes. Islam and Hossain (2019) found that Cypriniformes was the greatest order, followed by Siluriformes, and Perciformes in the Dekar Haor Sanctuary. According to the percentage contribution of species, Cyprinidae was counted as the most diversified family comprising 27.69% of the total species and the subsequent families were Bagridae, Mastacembelidae, Cobitidae, ete.…”

“…Generally, it can be defined as a prescribed area of particular waters together with buffer zone where fishing is strictly prohibited. Fish and other aquatic organisms can take shelter, survive, and reproduce without any disturbance ( Islam and Hossain, 2019 ). In 1960–1965, the Department of Fisheries (DoF) established 23 fish sanctuaries in several floodplain waters under the Development and Management Scheme.…”

Fish Sanctuaries as an Ecological Approach to Management for Restoring Fish Biodiversity: A Study on Chikadubi Beel Fish Sanctuary, Bangladesh

“…Accoding to Islam et al [14] "sanctuary status on diversity and production of fish and shellfish in sunamganj dekar haor of Bangladesh result found that total of 64 species including fish (57), freshwater prawns (2), crabs (1) and mollusks (4)…”

A Comprehensive Study on Small Indigenous Fish Species (SIS) Diversity, Availability, Conservation and Threatened Status in Sylhet Haor Basin, Bangladesh

“…snakehead, flatfish, feather back, pipe fish, puffer fish and tooth carp were 7.14 % of the total catch (Figure 4). Islam & Hossain (2019) showed catfish contributed the most to the Sunamganj Dekar haor. Similarly, Haroon et al (2002) found that barbs and catfish were the leading groups (19 % and 18 % respectively) of the total groups in the Sylhet-Mymensingh basin.…”