Community Based Fish Culture & Integrated Floodplain Management –

implications and opportunities for adoption in sub-polder productivity

improvementBenoy Kumar Barman

WorldFish, Bangladesh and South Asia

Inland Open and Closed Water Resources of Bangladesh

River & Estuar-ies , 22%

Beel , 3%

Kaptai Lake 2%

Floodplain , 69%

Pond 48%

Seasonal water, 16%

Oxbow lake, 1%

Shrimp farm 35%

Inland Water: 4.7 m ha; open water 3.9 m ha (84%), closed water 0.77 million ha (16%)

Contribution in total fish production: inland open water 29.34% and closed water 52.92%

Floodplain Fisheries in Bangladesh

• Undervalued but provide essential source of food, income and livelihoods of millions of people

• Conversion for drainage, flood control, agriculture, changes in nature, grabbing

• Latest trends conversion of floodplains to use for aquaculture like closed waters:

o it increases fish production and incomeo but floodplain ecosystem is under stress

with loss in diversity of wild fish, other aquatic animals and plants and ecosystem services

o loss of access and benefits of the poor

Floodplain fisheries in Bangladesh – important source of fish for household consumption and livelihoods of the poor

PN35: CBFC in seasonal floodplains in Bangladesh – fingerling stocking

PN35: CBFC - Good Harvest 2-3 folds higher than baseline production based on natural productivity

within 5-7 months

PN35: CBFC in seasonal floodplains – ensure employment of poor fishers and other poor people

Problems encountered in implementing CBFC in seasonal floodplains

Increased fish production and income but discontinuation of the activities largely related to Governance

Dominance of the Leader Inequity in distribution of benefits Lack of transparency in investment and distribution of income Mistrust among the members and local DoF with the leader Poor coordination of Leader with other members Managing Committee of the CBO

Community Based Integrated Floodplain Management (IFM)

Reduced irrigation water

demand

Cropping

pattern management

Sluice Gate Management

More water during dry

season

Connections during fish migration

Aquatic resources mngt & conservation

RiU PN35: WLE supported CBFC & IFM in Floodplains in Bangladesh

o Enhanced overall productivity - develop effective stocking strategies of fish fingerlings, linkage with hatchery, fish seed traders and DoF

o Develop strategies for increased production of natural fish and other aquatic animals and plants, stocked fish, agriculture, water use for irrigation

o Improved agrobiodversity - the ecosystem functions restored and maintained following many of the principles restoration ecology, mmultiple uses and diversity in use of resources with increased resilience

o Income, household nutrition, children education o Ensured access and benefits of the poor, fishers, landless,

indigenous people (Adivasi) as member of the CBOso Good governance – CBOs, managing committees,

participatory decision making, democratic, transparent management, responsive leadership, strengthen the CBOs to make it sustainable, extensive sharing with others by organizing workshop and exchange visits

RiU PN35: CBFC and IFM in 10 Focal and 47 Outreach Sites

CBFC and IFM in Floodplains – Interventions brought significant increase in production of small fish

o Stocked 528.5 kg mola @ 1kg/ha broodfish total harvest of small fish 19,293 kg (mola and other species of small fish)

o Contribution of small fish in total fish production 16% in 2012 increased to 29 % in 2013.

o Contribution of small fish in total income 36% in 2013 Note: All small fish produced largely sold in the local

market but large amount of carps sold in Dhaka. Significant improvement in fish consumption especially small fish by the HH members and local consumers

Production of small fish (kg) from floodplains under CBFC & IFM in 2012 and 2013

Kola Khosal Kalmina Kokradoba0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

487 593

1076

2884

4171

1547

3087

5619

Yr 2012

Yr 2013

Production of small fish (in kg) from floodplains under CBFC & IFM in 2012 and 2013 from Kalmina Beel

Floodplain in Fulbaria, Mymensingh (35ha)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Yr 2012 Yr 2013

CBFC and IFM in Floodplains – fish harvest from Kola Beel Floodplain in Bagmara, Rajshahi

CBFC & IFM in Floodplains – presence of aquatic weeds supporting production of small fish darkina (micronutrient rich fish), puti, chingri more in Khosal Beel Floodplain in

2013