Indigenous Fishing Methods of the Moyon Tribe of Manipur (India) and Myanmar

Fishing is one of the main economic activities of the Moyon tribe living in Manipur (India), and Myanmar. For many centuries, Moyons used indigenous methods for fishing. However, in recent years, indiscriminate fishing using modern technologies has led to an ecological crisis which not only affected the ichthyofauna diversity but also affected the livelihood of individuals depending on fishing as well as the sustainability of the indigenous fishing methods. The paper explores the indigenous fishing techniques and practices of the Moyon tribe. The study adopted a qualitative-exploratory research method with ethnography as the primary component. Data were collected from on-site observations of fishing and discussions with the local Moyon population. The study revealed that indigenous fishing methods have become unsustainable due to misuse by the fishers. Another significant observation was the shift in fishing methods from traditional to modern (market) gears. The recently used fishing gears are a threat to the fish population, aquatic ecosystem, and indigenous knowledge of fishing crafts. The study concludes that unsustainable fishing by the Moyon tribe is connected with poverty and the lack of development and education.

Fish Diversity and Its Threatened Status of the Dharla River in Bangladesh

Fish diversity of a riverine ecosystem became reduced due to different manmade and natural calamities. This study investigated the present fish biodiversity status of the Dharla River located (25.8103° N, 89.6487° E) in the northern part of Bangladesh from January to December 2018. In this study, the existing fish biodiversity status of the Dharla River was estimated in terms of diversity indices and threatened status (both global and local). Data was collected from the three sampling sites of the river using different fishing gears and three selected fish markets located in the Kurigram district of Bangladesh. A total of 76 fish species were identified belonging to 8 orders, 26 families and 57 genera. The Cyprinidae was the most dominant family represented by 14 species followed by the Danionidae (13 species), Bagridae (8 species) and few minor families. Apart from the indigenous species, nine exotic fish species were also recorded. The Shannon-Weaver diversity (H), Pielous evenness (e) and Margalef richness (D) indices ranged from 3.00 to 3.71, 0.62 to 0.94 and 3.94 to 7.95, respectively. Out of 76 indigenous species, 28 species (37%) were identified as threatened in Bangladesh, which included critically endangered (4), vulnerable (9) and endangered (15) species. Indiscriminate fishing through poisoning and destructive fishing gears were identified as the major threats to fish biodiversity of the Dharla River. Thus, the river serves as considerable support for threatened indigenous fishes. Therefore, necessary steps are needed to stop destructive fishing, establish permanent fish sanctuaries and proper monitoring for maintaining sustainable biodiversity in the Dharla River.

Efficient Fishing Method to Control the Population of Rice Eel, Monopterus albus (Synbranchidae) in Rice Fields in Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Rice eel (Monopterus albus) was introduced in the Philippines in 1905 as an aquaculture species without a thorough evaluation of its possible negative impact on the environment. In Cagayan Valley Region, it is being considered as a pest due to the economic loss it brought to farmers as it bore holes on the dikes, draining the water from the rice field, thus, contributing to the additional expense of the farmers. However, from the economic point of view, the species offered great potential as an export commodity due to its broad export market in East Asian countries. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the most efficient and effective method of controlling the proliferation of rice eel in rice fields in the Cagayan Valley region while preserving its integrity as an export commodity. Twelve (12) municipalities were chosen as the study sites based on validated reports of the high occurrence of rice eel. Three fishing methods, namely, fish trap (FT), hook and line (HL), and electrofishing (EF) gadget, were utilized. These gears were set during the dry and wet seasons. Catch and catch per unit effort (CPUE) were used to determine gear efficiency, while monetary values, net income, and ROI were used to assess the profitability of the gears. Results showed that electrofishing gadgets exhibit greater efficiency among the three fishing gears. The EF gadget also has the highest CPUE (4 individuals) per hour while only around 0–1 per hour for FT and HL. Seasonality does not affect the efficiency of the three fishing gears. Also, there is no significant interaction between seasons and fishing gears (p = 0.525). Computed annual net income and return on investment (ROI) is also greater using EF (PHP 407,630.40/ha/year with 569% ROI) compared to HL and FT (net incomes of PHP 113,244.68/ha/year and PHP 161,618.99/ha/year, and 261% and 309% ROI, respectively). However, the use of EF as a control measure should entail restrictions such that only within rice farm areas and not in open waters and only after harvest or before planting with issued EF licenses and permits from BFAR and local ordinances. Higher penalties should also be imposed for illegal use of EF such as use in open waters. As an alternative to EF, a combination of FT and HL with modifications or more environment-friendly fishing gears can be explored to catch and control the rice eel population.

Efficiency of Different Traps and Baits for Catching Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium Spp. for Broodstock Development

Catching of wild freshwater prawns in Palawan is done by using different fishing gears, including baited traps. However, there are only limited studies related to the efficiency of these traps on catching freshwater prawns. In this study, the efficiency of four different traps (traditional plastic traps, bamboo traps, modified traps, and rattan traps) and three baits (low-valued fish, grilled coconut, and octopus) was tested in catching live Macrobrachium spp. from the rivers of two localities in the Barangay Bagongbayan, Roxas and Sitio Catama, Dumaran, Palawan at two sampling events with 12-hr intervals along the river bank. Each trap was deployed randomly 5-8 meters apart in the collection site late afternoon and retrieved the following day. The highest catch was obtained using plastic traps with low-value fish as bait. All samples from the different traps were collected alive. Modifications are underway to improve the design of these traps to improve catch efficiency. Regulating the collection of Macrobrachium from the wild by developing it into broodstocks will support the sustainable aquaculture industry using hatchery-produced seedstocks instead of sourcing it from the wild.

Stock Assessment of Exploited Sardine Populations from Northeastern Bay of Bengal Water, Bangladesh Using the Length-Based Bayesian Biomass (LBB) Method

Stock assessment is necessary to understand the status of fishery stocks. However, for the data-poor fishery, it is very challenging to assess the stock status. The length-based Bayesian biomass (LBB) technique is one of the most powerful methods to assess the data-poor fisheries resources that need simple length frequency (LF) data. Addressing the present gap, this study aimed to assess the stock status of three sardines (Sardinella fimbriata, Dussumieria acuta, and D. elopsoides) in the Bay of Bengal (BoB), Bangladesh using the LBB method. The estimated relative biomass for S. fimbriata was B/B0 < BMSY/B0, indicating the overfished biomass, while the assessed B/B0 > BMSY/B0 for D. acuta and D. elopsoides indicates healthy biomass. Additionally, for S. fimbriata, the length at first landing was smaller than the optimum length at first landing (Lc < Lc_opt), indicating an overfishing status, but a safe fishing status was assessed for D. acuta and D. elopsoides (Lc > Lc_opt). Therefore, increasing the mesh size of fishing gears may help to ensure the long-term viability of sardine populations in the BoB, Bangladesh.

Identifying Métiers Using Landings Profiles: An Octopus-Driven Multi-Gear Coastal Fleet

The multi-gear coastal vessels in the Algarve (South Portugal) own licenses for various fishing gears. However, it is generally uncertain what gears they use, which is problematic as each individual gear is responsible for unique impacts on the resources and the environment. In this study, landing profiles identified for the multi-gear coastal fleet (2012–2016) were used as support in defining potential métiers using k-mean clustering analysis (CLARA) along with information from past studies on métiers. The results showed that more than 50% of the vessels were engaged in the octopus fishery year-round, using traps, while a small percentage (~13%) were entirely dedicated to clam dredging. In general, gillnets (21%) were used to target monkfish, hake and bastard soles, while trammel nets (6%) were used to target cuttlefish, with some vessels alternating the fishing gears (either seasonally or annually) according to target species. The method for the initial characterization of this fleet’s métiers and its efficiency with limited data is discussed, as well as the utility of this segmentation in support of management advice.

Present Status of Aquatic Resource and Its Catch of Mogra River in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is very rich in aquatic fauna with a biodiversity. The present study, conducted during 2015 to 2019, recorded a total number of 131 spe cies (104 fish, 09 prawn, 01 snail, 04 crabs, and 13 turtles) belonging to 26 families were identified from the Mogra River and its flood plain. About ten types of fishing gears, different crafts, hook and line were found oper ative in the river. Increasing rates of using current jal (16.0-26.40%) and Kapuri jal (11.0-16.70%) were identified as detrimental gears destroyingdifferent species. The fish productivity was decreased dramatically from 170.63±10.81mt to 134.75±8.02 mt with a decreasing percentage of 6.26 to 21.03% within five years. Three important aquatic species turtiles (Cyclemys oldhami, Melanocheelys trjuuga and Morenia petersi) became rare and 17 commercially important aquatic species were at the edge of extinction (critically endangered, CR). From the study, 67 species were recorded inthe endangered (EN) category, 20 species vulnerable status (VU), 11 species lower risk (LR), 07 species Least concern (LC) and 04 Data deficient (DF). To save the existing aquatic species in the studied riverine ecosystem and ensure better livelihood of the fishes, a team of local management committee, similar to the Hilsa fisheries management technology is needed.

Women’s role and support for the closed fishing season in the small-scale fisheries (SSF) of Davao Gulf, Philippines

Women’s role and support for the fisheries are barely acknowledged, they are stereotyped and marginalized and given limited participation in the fisheries. This study aims to describe the role of women and investigate their support for the closed fishing season in the small-scale fisheries (SSF) of Davao Gulf, Philippines. Survey data were collected in six study sites, only surveying women respondents involved in fishing and fishery-related activities. Interviews were conducted from November 2019 to July 2020 with respondents from Governor Generoso, Lupon, Davao City, Sta. Maria, Malita, and Don Marcelino (N = 255). The information collected was validated through seven focus groups with a total number of participants, N = 112. Results showed that women respondents who live near the shore, were poorly educated, attended elementary level (38%), do not own any parcel of land (91%), but have access to microfinance credit (64%). Women participated in the fisheries by gleaning for food and income. Some of their activities were performed to support their husbands, including preparing fishing gears (23%), food processing (6%), collecting and sorting fishery products (10%), marketing fish catches (25%), and gleaning (21%). Other results showed that women strongly support the closed fishing season which was significantly influenced by fisheries-related variables e.g. proportion of catch sold, and belonging to a family of fishers [B = 0.459 (S.E.=0.188), Wald = 5.928 df = 1, p = .015]. They support the policy for sustainability of their husband’s catches and their livelihood. Women also mentioned the need for financial seed capital for fishing gears, fishing operation and rented stalls for selling of fish.