A.B.M. Arman Hossain*, Gazi Muhammad Abdullah Mahdi and Abul Kalam Azad
The present study was undertaken on Chapai Beel in Faridpur Sadar Upazila, Bangladesh, to determine the fish biodiversity and scratch out the problem related to fisheries biodiversity and will also make a significant contribution to the development of an appropriate beel management policy to conserve the fisheries biodiversity through sustainable management. A field investigation was conducted on the current status of Chapai Beel fisheries for one year, from January to December 2020. The Chapai Beel is semi-closed and has an arc-shaped water body of 84.86 ha spreading over the seven villages with covering the two unions and two Upazilas of Faridpur district. A total of 47 species (including six exotic species) were identified during the study. Of the 47 species, 41 were indigenous species belonging to 17 fish families, 12 different common groups, and 32 fish genera; 25 were SIS, and the remaining 16 were large fish. Cyprinidae constitutes the highest fish population representing 15 species, and shares the highest percentage (37%) among the recorded family. Barbs & Minnows were the most influential group (22%) among the recorded 12 common groups. According to the IUCN Conservation Status (BD)- 2015 in Chapai Beel, the highest percentage was recorded as Least Concern (66%) followed by Near Threatened (19%), Vulnerable (10%), and Endangered (5%). Moreover, From the ChapaiBeel6, fish species were recorded as threatened, which is 9% of the total threatened fishes of Bangladesh. Among 41 species, 36.58% of fish species were ranked as abundant, followed by moderate (24.40%), low (19.51%), and rare (19.51%). Therefore, the current study provides a scientific foundation for fish biodiversity status, which will aid policymakers in determining beel management priorities in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the study reveals that careful planning, management, regulatory standards, and active community engagement can all help to improve biodiversity.
KeywordsBeel fishery; Fish biodiversity; Conservation; Sustainable management; Chapai beel
Published Date: 2023-02-28; Received Date: 2023-02-02
