Author(s): Md. Rasel Mia, Abu Saleh Md Arif, Poly Rani Das, Rafiul Islam and Md. Alal Hossen

Abstract: The present study was conducted to identify the types of fishing gears, crafts and their mode of operation in the Surma River of Sylhet district for a period of six months from March 2017 to August 2017. Questionnaire Interview (QI) and Key Informant Interview (KII), Direct Catch Assessment Survey (CAS) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted to gather information about fishing gears and crafts. The survey was designed to know the main habitat type, people need for operation, length, width, volume, diameter, mesh size, durability of gears, construction cost, target species, period of operation. A total of 16 different types of fishing gears were identified. All fishing nets were categorized into 6 grouped based on their mode of operation or action and catching of fish viz., lift net, dip net, gill net, seine net, cast net, and push net. Among them 7(seven) lift net, 1(one) dip net, 2(two) gill net, 2 (two) sine net, 1(one) push net, 1( one) cast net and 1(one) type of hook and 1( one) type of line was recognized. Two (2) types of fishing crafts were documented from the present study viz. Dinghi nouka and Trawler. Among these gears some were selective for a particular species like Chelapata jal, Boaler jal etc., whereas others account for a number of species caught during operation giving multispecies nature of the fishing. On the other hand, a number of the fishing gears such as Ber jal, Fash jal, and Current jal were found to catch fish irrespective of their size or species and destroys the habitat of the wild species thus causing multiple harms to the fisheries resources of the Surma River. Public awareness and training program should be conducted to the fishermen for sustainable exploitation of fishery resources of Surma River.

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