Dr. M.A. Mazid, Director, FRI
1. INTRODUCTION:
Bangladesh with a coast line of 480 km along the north and north-east part of Bay of Bengal, possesses over 1.0 million ha of territorial water extending up to 19 km of the sea, and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles having an area of more than 1,25,000 km2. The country has typical tropical multispecies fisheries. There are 475 species of fish identified so far of which about 100 species are of commercial importance. There are 25 shrimp species identified of which ten commercial species are available in trawl fishery. Among them giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) is the most valuable but brown shrimp (Metapenaeous monoceros) has been contributing maximum (63%) in the total production.
Based on the different surveys and research works in the Bay of Bengal, it is estimated that the standing stock of demersal fish is around 2,64,000 to 3,73,000 MT and that of shrimp around 9,000 MT. The total marine production is estimated to be 250,480 MT in 1992–93 of which off shore commercial trawler fishing contributed 11,230 MT, and artisanal inshore fishing 2,39,250 MT. Thus the marine fisheries activity in the country presently comprises mainly of artisanal sector contributing 95% of the marine production. However, recently off shore commercial trawl fishery has developed because of the valuable exportable shrimp resources.
2. Status of Marine Fisheries Research
Apparently, Marine Fisheries Sector remained by and large as a less priority area in the fisheries development programme. Before starting commercial exploitation by deep sea trawlers and mechanized boats, several surveys have been conducted in the Bay of Bengal since 1958 to evaluate the abundance and promote the exploitation of marine fishery resources. The most important findings obtained from the various surveys were.
Identification of four major fishing grounds in Bangladesh sea water covering an area of over 26,000 km.
Identification of shelf area over 40,000 sq. km and estimation of fishery biomass at depths ranging from 10 m to 200 m.
Estimate of demersal standing stock of fish and shrimp.
However, to date no proper assessment of pelagic resources could be made.
Marine Fisheries Research, Development and Management Project at Chittagong with a sub-station at Cox's Bazar was functional under FAO/UNDP assistance for Marine Research and Aquaculture Programme from 1980–81 to 1984–85 wherein assessments of demersal stock and partly of shrimp stock were done. During second phase of the project certain aspects of artisanal fisheries were studied with technical and financial support from the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP). Presently, there are two programmes which are involved in collecting the data on the resources. The Resource Survey component of DOF reporting through the District Fisheries Officer (DFO) provides data to compile the official fishery statistics which are both quantitatively and qualitatively less satisfactory. However, they need to be further strengthened to be of substantial value. The former Marine Fisheries Survey Project component of DOF carries out similar programme to those of Survey Officer. They undertake research studies in a particular area for only as long as is necessary to acquire data for some intended stock assessment. However, complete base line information on the different parameters of marine fisheries is lacking and thus any analysis of the trend becomes difficult.
The Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) was established in 1984 with four research stations: the Freshwater Station in Mymensingh, the Riverine Station at Chandpur, the Brackishwater Station in Paigacha, and the Marine Fisheries & Technological Station at Cox's Bazar. The marine station was based in the compound of former sub-station of Marine Fisheries Research and Development Project. As a Government policy decision, the facilities, manpower and equipment of that project were to be transferred to FRI to initiate properly the marine fisheries research in the country. However, this did not happen because of certain compulsion. DOF handed over a part of the building and the staff quarters in 1991. Then the FRI initiated establishment its station (MFTS) with its limited research activities on mariculture of shrimp and fin fish, planktonic mass culture, Artemia biomass production, transportation of live shrimp and development of fish and shrimp feed formulation. Unfortunately because of lack of personnel, fund and facilities no research could be undertaken on productivity, stock assessment and catch monitoring.
3. Research Support for Marine Fisheries Development
3.1 Oceanography and productivity:
Almost no research appears to have been carried out on the oceanography and organic productivity of our water. Although several fisheries resource surveys in the EEZ of Bangladesh have gathered some basic data on bathymetric as well as geographic distribution of various species, their catch rate and abundance with particular reference to penaeid shrimp species along with some oceanographic parameters i.e. temperature, salinity and turbidity etc. However, study on organic productivity and its potential of fish yields, and their relationship with the standing stock both pelagic and demersal and landing of the catch are urgently needed.
It is well known that any form of rational fisheries management and development requires some knowledge of catch monitoring to tell what is caught, when, where and in what way. Present Fisheries Resource Survey Systems do not give adequate information in this regards nor on broad based biological or socio economic data. It is important to develop a well defined catch monitoring system urgently. Thus the most important area of research are:
Studies on oceanography in understanding the marine ecology of the area, and assessment of primary and secondary productivity of EEZ of Bangladesh.
Studies on marine fish stock assessment to relate with marine productivity and marine fish landing.
Research on various methodology of monitoring the catches and fishing efforts of Bangladesh marine fisheries.
To evolve a Catch Monitoring System so as to assess the status and trends of resources in catch.
3.2 Inshore Fisheries and Conservation of Exploited Resources
The inshore capture fisheries in Bangladesh is mainly with artisanal sector which includes a number of fishing gear and crafts, but mostly with small non-motorized and comparatively small portion of motorized/ mechanized boats. They normally operate up to 40 m depth. Of the total fishery production the gill net catch composed of mainly hilsa which contributes 55%, whereas estuarine set bagnet (ESBN) contributes about 30%, most of the catch are juveniles. BOBP study in 1991 indicates that ESBN fishery are harmful to the resources and they emphasized the need for control of fishing efforts. Before proper management measures are introduced, a better understanding of the issue is necessary to avoid any social tension and economic set back to the target population. All these need proper research to determine the degree of the problems and the ways to tackle them.
Increased yield of hilsa can probably be achieved through better management of stocks. The most important strategy should be the extension of marine fisheries management region to cover the mechanized and artisanal fisheries. Revision of the Fisheries Ordinance 1983 in order to incorporate all types of gears used by artisanal fishermen is necessary so that regulation of fishing effort may become possible. This was also reiterated by the FAO/TSS-Mission. This will involve reduction of fishing effort and closing fishing period during breeding season. World Bank (1991) projected that improving hilsa stocks (which is both inland and marine) through rehabilitation and conservation could add another 25,000 MT per year. The important research studies in this area are as follow:
Identification of over exploited species and their management for conservation, particularly of hilsa and shrimp.
To evolve different models of community levels participation in conservation management.
3.3 Off-shore and Deep sea Demersal Resources and their Proper Exploitation:
Bangladesh off-shore fishing fleet at present occupies an area from east to west bordered by 40 m and 100 m and artisanal fishing craft normally operate up to 40 m depth. But there is a strong and continuous competition in the demersal trawling and artisanal fishing operations within 100 m depth of water. The most valuable penaeid shrimp species P. monodon is showing a gradual decline due to over fishing and inadequate recruitment because of intensive wild shrimp seed collection in the nursery grounds along the estuarine shallow water area.
In Asia there is a number of countries where important stocks of demersal species are either fully exploited or overfished. In Bangladesh, if rational management of the exploited resources for sustainable development is not taken up urgently, there is a little prospect of increasing the catch of demersal species in near future.
On the other hand, there is untapped potential consisting of important valuable pelagic fish species in areas other than present demersal and artisanal fishing ground such as the off-shore area beyond 100 m depth as well as the surface area beyond 40 m depth. Various exploratory survey and research finding reported the availability of considerable resources which include pelagic resources, small and large e.g. tuna and skipjack, mackerels, anchovies, sardines, sharks, cephalopods and many others. At present these resources are being caught as by-catch of different gears. Unfortunately to date no real pelagic resources survey has been made. According to World Bank projection (1991), with the improvement of fishing technologies for pelagic fisheries, about 25,000 mt of fish can be additionally produced. The important research in this sector appears to be follows:
To evolve suitable model for multigear/multispecies fisheries and to forecast the fish resources in time/space.
Diversification of fishing method to tap under utilized species and particularly pelagic ones.
To evolve gear on the basis of fish behavioural studies.
3.4 Sea Farming
It is well known that our country is endowed with extensive coastal area and an equally diverse variety of sea organisms both plants and animals. The farming of such organisms commercially seems most essential not only to utilize most profitably of hitherto unexploited resources for food, or productive employment or foreign currency earning but to protect the valuable coastal resources and to benefit the coastal communities. In this context it is important to note that FRI - MFTS has evolved mariculture technology of Bhetki (Lates calcarifer) and mixed culture of mullets with shrimp as a package sustainable to the farmers. The seabass is a relatively high-priced species, and therefore very attractive for commercial-scale culture for increasing the income of farmers of fishermen.
Mollusc culture and seaweed rank among those with the greatest potential of contributing income improvement among coastal communities with the least disruption of their traditional lifestyle. Cockles, clams, seaweeds need to be investigated and culture technology evolved for utilizing most profitably the valuable coastal resources of the country. Urgent research areas are the following:
Development of methods for controlled reproduction of seabass and mullets and mass rearing of their larvae.
Development of methods of fry collection, identification, sorting and transport, pending the development of controlled reproduction and hatchery production of their seed.
Methods of monitoring health and disease problems of seabass and mullets and disease control.
Documentation and evaluation of genetic resources of commercially important molluscs and seaweeds; and to evolve package of practices for their culture including site selection, seed collection, disease control and depuration etc. to increase production and consumer acceptance; and
To diversify molluscs and seaweed utilization through food product development for the benefit of coastal community and the consumers elsewhere.
3.5 Product Development, Processing and Marketing
Research support for product development from conventional and non-conventional species will have an impact on nutrition and income generation. With the introduction of trawling, a significant proportion of by-catch is being discarded in the sea. Some estimates indicate that post-harvest losses from discarded by-catch mostly associated with shrimp trawlers are about 30,000 MT. This needs to be seriously viewed and technology to be developed for their value addition so as to fully utilize them for human consumption with cost effective price.
However, our efforts are mainly directed towards maximising production but not on product development. It is essential to undertake industry oriented research for fish product development. While application of available knowledge to local condition and raw materials are necessary it is important to improve present methods of fish fermentation and to explore the possibility of using enzymatic on bacteriological methods in the development of new products. Similarly research is needed to improve handling and processing method, packing, storage, transport and marketing to improve the economics of operation to reduce wastage and also to improve the quality including hygiene and sanitation to safequard public health. The important area of research are as follow:
Development of technique of processing by-catch and small pelagic fish for the preparation of improved quality surimi and other value-added products.
Screening of protein concentrate both qualitatively and quantitatively from by-catch and small pelagic fish.
Experiments on deterioration of organoleptic quality of hilsa and shrimps under varying condition.
Biochemical changes occurring in fish during different stages of handling, transportation, processing and preservation which affect the quality of hilsa and shrimp.
Studies on the bacteriology of hilsa and shrimp preservation.
3.6 Conclusion
To conclude, I wish to reiterate that it is important that while taking into account of likely future development with respect to resource potentials, economic trends, and social development, a number of issues needs in depth studies such as the national policies in respect of food production, improvement of nutritional status of people, generation of employment, rural development, upliftment of women, saving and earning of foreign exchange, sectoral priorities, financing and credit from the national sources and also technical assistance and financial supports from external sources etc. Only then we can be able to formulate plan, programmes and projects for a sustainable development of our marine resources.
