Assessment of External Supports for Harvesting Artisanal Galda (Macrobrachium Rosenbergii De Man) Fisheries from the Sundarbans Mangrove Ecosystem in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted through 24 individual surveys in the SME of Bangladesh covering 16 river/canals and 32 locations (one-third area) of the Sundarbans by direct interviews of randomly selected 1,989 fishermen from 545 non-mechanized boats and 1,428 active gears from eight types of gear. The source of credit, agreement of Dadan, variability in prices, profit distribution agreement between boat/gear owner and the fishing labour, catch volume, and the relation between the fisher and the landing centers (i.e., intimacy and expected market prices) were found to be determinant factors in determining the place for landings of the harvested catches in the study area. There was access of fishers to the formal credit markets (i.e. scheduled banks or cooperatives) at 13±2.83 (11-15)% interest. However, the rate of interest offered by the NGOs was significantly higher (mean: 45±31, range: 18-76%) than the bank rates. A number of formalities were found to inhibit fishers to receive credit from Banks and NGOs. About 60-100% of the value of Galda catch, after covering the operational costs, was taken by the boat and gear owner. The share of the labor also varied by the type of work performed (catching, drying, transporting, cooking on boat etc.). The average prices of Galda at landing centers are varied from BDT 290 to 750 kg-1. The average prices of Galda at landing centers and in international markets were BDT 290 and 750 kg-1, respectively in 2006. The Department of Forest, being the legal authority in the management of aquatic resources inside the waters of the SME of Bangladesh should care the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries to ensure a sustainable growth rate of Galda, and protect over exploitation. Proper and easy financial and credit supports is needed for the economic betterment of the small fishers. Hence the findings and the recommendations of this study is supposed to be helpful for policy makers in improving the current status of Galda fishery and relevant human livelihood as well as conserving the Sundarbans Mangrove Ecosystem.