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Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Research Article - (2020) Volume 11, Issue 6

Analyzing Livelihood Sustainability of Climate Vulnerable Fishers: Insight from Bangladesh
Atiqur Rahman Sunny1*, Kazi Mohammad Masum2, Nusrat Islam2, Mizanur Rahman3, Arifur Rahman4, Jahurul Islam5, Saidur Rahman6, Khandaker Jafor Ahmed7 and Shamsul Haque Prodhan1
 
1Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
2Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
3Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh
4Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Patuakhali Science and Bangladesh Technology University, Bangladesh
5Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), Bangladesh
6The World Fish Center, Kishorganj, Bangladesh
7Department of Geography, The University of Adelaide, Australia
 
*Correspondence: Atiqur Rahman Sunny, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh, Tel: 01727206979, Email:

Received: 20-Dec-2019 Published: 20-Jun-2020, DOI: 10.35248/2155-9546.19.10.593

Abstract

Fish and fishery resources play an important role in improving socio-economic status of the fishing communities. Sylhet, the haor (bowl or saucer shape shallow depression) dominated administrative divisions (encompassing RAMSAR site and Ecological Critical Wetland Area) of Bangladesh is very promising for freshwater capture fisheries. But very few studies focused on the overall status on livelihood sustainability of fishing communities in this region. This study identified the demography, livelihood strategy, constraints of fishing and their coping strategies, strength, weakness and opportunity of fishing communities using household questionnaires, oral history interviews, and focus group discussions in Sylhet division (north eastern region of Bangladesh). The study identified physical strength and intention to work all the year round as the key strengths and acute poverty, poor economy, lack of alternative income generating opportunity and reduced fish availability as common weakness of fishers. Major threats facing by the fishers were natural calamities, overexploitation, dependency on natural resources and improper policy implication. Scope of alternative income generating opportunities, training and motivational program among the resource users and community based fisheries management could improve the situation. Findings of this study would provide important guideline for wetland management, planning and development of livelihood sustainability of the fishing communities.

Keywords

Fishing community; Livelihood Sustainability; Vulnerability; Biodiversity; Bangladesh

Introduction

Bangladesh is located on the world’s largest river deltas, created by the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, the Meghna and their tributaries. This is a riverine country of Southeast Asian region [1,2] having a total area of 147,570 km2 and a population of about 140 million [3]. The whole country is criss-crossed by 230 rivers and their tributaries and vast floodplain; thus ten percent of the total area of Bangladesh is always covered with water [4,5]. Bangladesh is the 4th largest producer of inland fisheries and has a huge water resource all over the country in the form of ponds, ditches, lakes, canals, small and large rivers and estuaries covering about 4.34 million hectares [6]. The favorable geographic position has blessed Bangladesh with a large number of aquatic species and provides plenty of resources to support fisheries potential [7]. It is enriched with freshwater fish species comprising 260 indigenous, 12 exotic, 24 freshwater prawn species [8,9].

Fish is the second most important agricultural crop in Bangladesh and its production contributes to the livelihoods and employment of millions of people [10,11]. The production and consumption of fish therefore has important implications for national income and food security. Bangladeshi people are also popularly referred to as “Mache BhateBangali” or “fish and rice makes a Bengali” [6]. Among all the division north eastern region (Sylhet division) is very promising for freshwater fishing due to abundance of wetlands of international importance [2,6]. Haor is a mosaic of wetlands including rivers, streams, irrigation canals and large area of seasonally flooded cultivated plains. There are 411 haors in Bangladesh comprising an area of about 8000 km2 [12]. Sylhet basin cover the most ecologically and economically important wetlands of Hakalukihaor (country’s largest haor), Tanguarhaor (RAMSAR site since 2000, country’s ecologically critical area 1999), Dekharhaor, Hail haor and Sanirhaor associated with Eralibeel and Jamaikatabeel. These haor occupies a land area of 40,000 ha area of three big districts (Sunamgonj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet) of Sylhet division. These Wetlands play vital role in the country’s economic, industrial, ecological, socio-economic, and cultural context [13-15]. It support the biodiversity of flora and fauna and contribute to build a sustainable socioeconomic life of millions of people of rural Bangladesh [14,16] by providing employment opportunities, irrigation, food and nutrition, fuel, fodder and transportation.

But the fish production from the fresh waters has declined to less than 40% [17] which gave a significant impact on the fishing community, their income, basic needs and overall socio-economic status. Fishermen community is deemed to be one of the most vulnerable communities in terms of their livelihood opportunities due to the deprivation of many amenities that considered them as the poorest of the poor [1,18-20]. It is important to understand the livelihood characteristics for sustainable development of Fish and fishery resources play an important role in improving socioeconomic conditions of the fishing community. Several studies were conducted on the socioeconomic condition of fishers of different districts in traditional method but very few systematic studies were conducted on the fishing community of north eastern region [1,16,18-20]. Thus the study was conducted using Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) framework to gain knowledge about the livelihood strategy, strength, weakness, opportunity and threats of fishing communities of this region.

Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA)

Livelihood means the capabilities, assets, resources and activities those are needed for living [21]. Livelihood become sustainable when it can be able to cope with and overcome stresses, shocks, and maintains capabilities and assets for present and future generation [22]. The Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) provides an understanding of the lives of marginalized people by offering a way of poverty reduction [23]. There are five important key indicators for assessing sustainable livelihoods, these are natural (timber and non-timber forest resources, water, wildlife), physical (shelter, infrastructure, equipment), and financial capital as well as intangible human (education, skills, health) and social (institutions, relationships, trust) resources [24-28].

Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) is important for development programs that aim to reduce poverty and vulnerability in communities who are engaged in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture [29,30]. The sustainable livelihoods framework helps to think and identify that poor might be very vulnerable to the assets and resources that assist them to survive, and the policies and institutions that put impact on their livelihoods [22]. Figure 1 shows the sustainable livelihoods framework and its various factors, which reduce or enhance livelihood opportunities and show their interrelation. Livelihood strategies include fisheries and agricultural intensification and expansion, livelihood diversification, and migration [24]. Institution and vulnerability are integral components of the SLA, and provide the crucial context where resources and strategies can be deployed and implemented.

aquaculture-research-development-framework

Figure 1: The sustainable livelihoods framework [22].

Materials and Methods

Study sites

The study was conducted in five fishing communities of Sylhet division. The communities were selected considering the dependency on natural resources and socioeconomic structure. The communities were Dakkhinsreepur, Uttorsreepur of Tanguar Haor (ecologically critical area since 1999 and Ramsar site since, 2000) of Tahirpur Upazilla, and Uttorgaon, Dakkhingaon of Dekhar Haor of Sunamaganj Sadar Upazilla under Sunamganj District. For primary data collection, a number of qualitative tools such as individual interviews (II), focus group discussions (FGD) with various groups of stakeholders, key informant interview (KII) with knowledgeable persons and oral history were employed (Figure 2).

aquaculture-research-development-study

Figure 2: Location of the study areas.

Data collection

To collect empirical data, ‘household survey’ and ‘survey during fishing’ was conducted and a number of qualitative tools such as interviews, focus group discussions, and oral history were employed. Secondary data was collected from several sources including different articles, reports of freshwater wetlands, local and International newspapers. For analysis of qualitative data, content analysis method was employed; themes were identified and classified into manageable categories of different variables, such as natural capital, social capital, strength, opportunities, weakness, threats etc.

Questionnaire interviews

Using a semi-structured questionnaire exploratory interviews (total= 125) were conducted in five areas to collect necessary information. Each interview took approximately 50 minutes to complete. In addition to the 90 interviews above, ten FGD sessions with resource users (where each group consisted of 8–10 persons) were conducted. Finally, fifteen KII or cross-check interviews with local entrepreneurs, NGO personnel working on mangrove issues and forest officials were conducted to collect and verify or necessary information. Fishermen and community people were interviewed on boat, bank of the beel and haor, fishers’ houses, fish markets, paddy field and where participants could sit and feel comfortable.

Results

Socioeconomic status of fishers

Nuclear (72.9%) and joint families (27.1%) were present in the study areas. Size of the family was 4-7 persons in nuclear families and 8-12 persons in joint families and main profession was fishing. Among all the fishers 32% people were found engaged in fishing at the age group of 31-40 years, 22% people were in 41-50 years, 24% people were below 20 years, 22% people were between 21 to 30 years. Education is very important in socioeconomic aspects. Among the respondents of fishing communities 45% were illiterate, 30% can only sign their name, 15% got primary level education, 10% went to secondary level and no one went to higher secondary level. The income of the fishers was very poor. The only source of income of fishermen was selling fish in the market and other place. There were very limited options for non-fishery activities such as day labor activities in Agricultural field. Fishers got wages from 100 BDT (1.3 US$) to 180 BDT (2.3 US$) daily depending on their capability in Sylhet region. Alternative income generating activities are must for living standard improvement of the community people. Moreover, every year many people are leaving fishing profession getting involved in other profession due to increasing fishing pressure and climate change. Among the respondents 38% got assistance from the government and different private voluntary organizations during natural calamities especially flood. Most of the respondents (72%) had credit facility from NGOs. They didn’t have access to take bank loan as they didn’t have enough wealth to morgue in the bank (Table 1).

Table 1: Socioeconomic profile of fishers in the study area.

Variables Status Mean (± SD)
Family type Nuclear 72.9%
Joint 27.1%
Family size (in number) Nuclear 4 to 7 5 (1.4)
Joint 8 to 12 10 (2.3)
Age of fishers <30 24% (5.9)
21 to 30 22% (2.6)
30 to 40 32% (4.9)
40 to 50 22% (4.5)
Education Illiterate 45%
Signed 30%
0 to 5 15%
5 to 10 10%
Occupation Fishing 94.9%
Other 5.1%
Income Net annual income 52,280 (1510) BDT
Access of alternative income Yes 51%
No 49%
Public/private assistance Yes 38%
No 62%
Access to credit Yes 72%
No 28%

People of this community become poorer and poorer due to debt cycle and intensive pressure of NGO’s credit. As natural calamities like flood, storm etc. is now a common phenomenon that badly hampers the income of the fishers especially who is dependent on only fishing profession. So, alternative income generating activities should be created and ensured. Income source should be diversified and engagement of women in income generating activities by maintaining the norms of their own society. Following suggested AIGAs (Alternative Income Generating Activities) could be helpful in this regards (Table 2).

Table 2: Potential AIGAs for men and women of fishing households.

Name of potential AIGA Rank Target group Justification Challenges
Mobile Mechanic 1 Men Who completed primary education
  • Lack of skill
Auto mobile mechanic 1 Men Part time/full time (Age 15 to 40)
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital
Tea stall 2 Men Part time/during less availability (Age>40)
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital
Cage culture in open water 2 Men Part time/during less availability (Age>40)
  • Lack of skill
  • Value chain complexity
Agriculture (Crop cultivation in land) 1 Men Part time/during less availability (Age>40)
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital
Aquaponics (Integrated culture of fish and vegetables in homestead area) 1 Men Part time/during less availability (Age>40)
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital
Poultry farm 1 Men Part time/during less availability (Age>40)
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital
Small business 2 Men Part time/during less availability (Age>40)
  • Lack of capital
Rickshaw pulling 1 Men Part time/during less availability (Age>40)
  • Lack of capital
Sewing (Nakshikatha) 1 Women Age 15 to 40
  • Lack of matured value chain
Baby toys (made by cloth, clay, paper etc.) 1 Women Age 15 to 40
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital
Handy craft (made by bamboo, cloth etc.) 1 Women Age 15 to 40
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital
Hen/duck rearing (indigenous) 1 Women Age>40
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital
Vegetable cultivation in yard 1 Women Age>40
  • Unconsciousness
Fish pot mending 2 Women Age>40
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital
Net mending 2` Women House wife and children
  • Lack of skill
  • Lack of capital

Livelihood assets of fishing communities

Sustainable livelihoods approach (SLA) discuss with five types of capital upon which fishermen’s livelihood depend, categorized as human, natural, financial, social and physical capital.

Human capital

Human capital includes the knowledge, skills, working ability and good health of fishers. Fishing was done by using indigenous technology and fishers built up skills through their own knowledge. People were engaged in income generating activities like fishing, fish marketing, agriculture, homestead gardening and poultry rearing. Risk of contagious disease like diarrhea, typhoid and jaundice was found a common phenomenon due to inundation and flood when the locality suffers from lack/no sanitation facility. Decreased in fish catch due to seasonality, unavailability and overexploitation is responsible for malnutrition of this community. Fluctuation of temperature and rainfall and frequent occurrences of natural calamities reduce working capacity.

Natural capital

Natural capital of this region includes land, water, wild fry, fish and minerals. Environmental goods are critical in fish production. Fishers relied on rainfall, and sometimes canal water for fish availability and fishing. List of available fish species collected from local community is given below (Table 3).

Table 3: List of different fish species with their order name, local name, and scientific name.

S. No. Order Scientific identity of the taxon with author Vernacular or local Bengaliname Common English name
1. Anguilliformes Anguilla bengalensis (Gray, 1831) Bamos Indian mottled eel
2. Cypriniformes Salmostomaphulo(Hamilton, 1822) Fulchela Flying barb
3. Cypriniformes Esomusdanrica (Hamilton, 1822) Darkina Flying barb
4. Cypriniformes Rasborarasbora (Hamilton, 1822) Darkina Flying barb
5. Cypriniformes Chela labuca (Hamilton, 1822) Labuca Hatchet fish
6. Cypriniformes Psilorhynchussucatio (Hamilton, 1822) Titari River stone carp
7. Cypriniformes Bengalaelanga (Hamilton, 1822) Sephatia Bengala barb
8. Cypriniformes Bariliusbendelisis (Hamilton, 1807) Joia Hamilton’s barila
9. Cypriniformes Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822) Anju Zebra danio
10. Cypriniformes Osteobramacotio (Hamilton, 1822) Dhela Cotio
11. Cypriniformes Systomussarana (Hamilton, 1822) Sarpunti Olive barb
12. Cypriniformes Puntius chola (Hamilton, 1822) Chalapunti Chola barb
13. Cypriniformes Pethiaguganio (Hamilton, 1822) Molapunti Glass-barb
14. Cypriniformes Puntius conchonius (Hamilton, 1822) Kanchanpunti Rosy barb
15. Cypriniformes Puntius ticto (Hamilton, 1822) Tit punti Ticto barb
16. Cypriniformes Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822) Jatpunti Pool barb
17. Cypriniformes Puntius terio (Hamilton, 1822) Teri punti One spot barb
18. Cypriniformes Oreichthyscosuatis (Hamilton, 1822) Kosuati Sortfinner barb
19. Cypriniformes Garra gotyla (Gray, 1830) Gharpoia Sucker head, Gotyla
20. Cypriniformes Acanthocobitiszonalternans (Blyth, 1860) Bilturi River loaches
21. Cypriniformes Schisturacorica (Hamilton, 1822) Koikra Stone loach
22. Cypriniformes Schisturascaturigina (McClelland, 1839) Dari Stone loach
23. Cypriniformes Schisturabeavani (Gunther, 1868) Shavonkhokra Greek loach
24. Cypriniformes Somileptesgongota (Hamilton, 1822) Poia Gongota loach
25. Cypriniformes Botiadario (Hamilton, 1822) Rani Stripped loach
26. Cypriniformes Lepidocephalusguntea (Hamilton, 1822) Gutum Guntea loach
27. Cypriniformes Labeorohita (Hamilton, 1822) Rui Rohu
28. Cypriniformes Catlacatla (Hamilton, 1822) Catla Catla
29. Cypriniformes Cirrhinuscirrhosus (Bloch, 1795) Mrigal Mrigal carp
30. Cypriniformes Labeocalbasu (Hamilton, 1822) Kala Baush Karnataka labeo
31. Cypriniformes Labeobata (Hamilton, 1822) Bata Bata labeo
32. Cypriniformes Chaguniuschagunio (Hamilton, 1822) Jarua Minor carp
33. Cypriniformes Labeoangra (Hamilton, 1822) Angrot/kharas Angralabeo
34. Cypriniformes Labeogonius (Hamilton, 1822) Ghainna Kuria labeo
35. Cypriniformes Labeonandina (Hamilton, 1822) Nandina Nandi labeo
36. Cypriniformes Labeopangusia (Hamilton, 1822) Ghoramach Pangusialabeo
37. Cypriniformes Cirrhinusreba (Hamilton, 1822) Bhagna Reba carp
38. Cypriniformes Amblypharyngodonmola (Hamilton, 1822) Mola Molacarplet
39. Cypriniformes Danio devario (Hamilton, 1822) Debari Bengal danio
40. Cypriniformes Raiamas bola (Hamilton, 1822) Bhol Trout barb, Indian trout
41. Siluriformes Eutropiichthysvacha(Hamilton, 1822) Bacha, Bhacha Schilbi
42. Siluriformes Clariasbatrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) Magur Walking catfish
43. Siluriformes Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Boal Freshwater shark
44. Siluriformes Heteropneustesfossilis (Bloch, 1794) Shing Stinging catfish
45. Siluriformes Pangasiuspangasius (Hamilton, 1822) Pangus Pangas catfish
46. Siluriformes Ailiacoila (Hamilton, 1822) Kajuli Gangetic catfish
47. Siluriformes Rita rita (Hamilton, 1822) Rita Rita, Striped catfish
48. Siluriformes Sperataaor (Hamilton, 1822) Ayre Long-whiskered catfish
49. Siluriformes Mystuscavasius (Hamilton, 1822) GolshaTengra Gangetic mystus
50. Siluriformes Mystusbleekeri (Day, 1877) Tengra Catfish
51. Siluriformes Mystustengara(Hamilton, 1822) BazariTengra Stripped dwarf catfish
52. Siluriformes Clupisomagarua (Hamilton, 1822) Garua River catfish
53. Tetraodontifomes Tetraodon cutcutia (Hamilton, 1822) Potka Ocellated pufferfish
54. Beloniformes Xenentodoncancila (Hamilton, 1822) Kakila Freshwater garfish
55. Beloniformes Hyporhamphuslimbatus (Valenciennes, 1847) Ekthota Congaturi Halfbeak
56. Cyprinodontiformes Aplocheiluspanchax (Hamilton, 1822) Kanpona Blue Panchax
57. Channiformes Channastriatus (Bloch, 1793) Shol Snakehead murrel
58. Channiformes Channamarulius (Hamilton, 1822) Gajar Giant snakehead
59. Channiformes Channabarca (Hamilton, 1822) Piplashol Barca snakehead
60. Channiformes Channa punctatus (Bloch, 1793) Taki Spotted snakehead
61. Channiformes Channaorientalis(Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Raga/Cheng Walking snakehead
62. Clupiformes Chitalachitala (Hamilton, 1822) Chital Clown knifefish
63. Clupiformes Notopterusnotopterus (Pallas, 1769) Foli Bronze featherback
64. Clupiformes Coricasoborna (Hamilton, 1822) Kachki The Ganges River Sprat
65. Perciformes Macrognathusaculeatus (Bloch, 1786)  Tara baim Lesser spiny eel
66. Perciformes Mastacembelusarmatus (Lacepede, 1800) Baim Spiny eel
67. Perciformes Mastacembeluspancalus (Hamilton, 1822) Guchibaim Spiny eel
68. Perciformes Colisafasciatu(Bloch & Schneider, 1801) Khalisha Banded gourami
69. Perciformes Colisalalia(Hamilton, 1822) Lalkholisha Dwarf gourami
70. Perciformes Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792) Koi Climbing perch
71. Perciformes Chanda nama Hamilton, 1822 NamaChanda Elongate Glass Perchlet
72. Perciformes Parambassislala (Hamilton, 1822) LalChanda Highfin Glassy Perchlet
73. Perciformes Parambassisranga (Hamilton, 1822) Rangachanda Indian glassy fish
74. Perciformes Chanda beculis (Hamilton, 1822) Chanda Himalayan glassy perchlet
75. Perciformes Glossogobiusgiuris (Hamilton, 1822) Bele Freshwater goby

Financial capital

Financial capital includes fishers’ incomes, savings and credit. Fishers spent their income mostly for payment of loan, dowry payments and buying of fishing utensils like fishing net, boat etc. Farmers had very little scope to collect loan from Bank due to their ignorance and complex banking system. NGO activities were rampant in these areas. Due to lack of education, fishers went to money lenders and pay high interest rate of 10% monthly.

Physical capital

House, fishing gear, boat Vehicle, road, communication system, market, electricity, water supply, sanitary and health facilities were the physical capital of the fishing community. A totalof 14 types of fishing gear belonging 7 categories like koiajal, current jai, patijal, berjal, moiyajal, dubajal, tuna jal, kunijal, thelajal, chip/borshi, teta, koach, anta, chai were found in this region (Table 4).

Table 4: Different types of fishing gears used by the fishers.

S. No. Category Type Length (m) Width (m) Mesh size (cm) Operating manpower
1 Gill net Koiajal (Specialized net for Anabas testudineus 50-65 1-1.5 0.5-1 1-2
2 Gill net Current jal (monofilament gill net) 105-110 1.2-1.5 1-1.5 1-3
3 Gill net Patijal 80-90 1.5-2 2.5-4 1-3
4 Seine net Tunajal 7-8 3.5-5 0.5-1.2 5-10
5 Seine net Dubajal 100-150 25-35 0.5-0.8 4-10
6 Seine net Moiajal 5-7.5 4-4.5 0.3-0.4 4-10
7 Seine net Berjal 100-220 2-3 0-0.5 5-10
8 Cast net Kunijal - - - 1
9 Push net Thelajal - - - 1
10 Hook and line Borshi - - - 1
11 Spears Teta - - - 1
12 Traps Chai - - - 1-2

Road and transportation service was very poor with severe health and sanitary problems. People got poor medical facilities due to long distance of the upazila hospital, scarcity of necessary pathological test and inactiveness of the community clinic system and people often suffered from diarrhea, cholera and malnutrition. Almost all households used tube-wells for drinking water. Electricity status of the communities was very poor and only 15% of farmers had electricity.

Social capital

Social capital includes relationship, cultural norms and other social factors that significantly help in exchanging experiences, sharing of knowledge and cooperation among rural communities. Fishers and their neighbors didn’t get any training so they contribute to the livelihood of each other by their own ideas of indigenous knowledge.

Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability deals with different strategies like shocks (unexpected events), trends (factors influence financially), seasonality (seasonal fluctuation of available resources), (Table 5) institutional structure and process that were composed of a range of activities and could vary from individual to individual or from household to household.

Table 5: Vulnerabilities of fishing communities.

 
Shocks Trends Seasonality
  • Illness of fishers
  • Increasing number of fishers reduce access to natural resources
  • Seasonal shift of fish availability
  • Damage due to natural calamity
  • Natural resource based livelihood are subjected to seasonal stress
  • Reduced income
  • Increasing population rate, political crisis and environmental change affect income
  • Death of family member, especially earning member
  • Seasonal unemployment due to lack of AIGAs

Institutional processes and livelihood outcomes

Understanding institutional processes help to identify the opportunities and barriers to sustainable livelihoods. Livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes are influenced by transforming structures and institutional processes. The study found several transforming structures and processes that could be helpful for desirable outcomes from the fish production, harvesting and other economic activities of the fishing community. It was found livelihood outcome of the fishers depended simultaneously on livelihood assets, vulnerabilities and performance of institutions and organizations (Figure 3). Poor fishers had limited resources to maintain their livelihood. Government agencies, NGOs and the private sector could play significant role in this regards to improve the livelihood of the fishing communities. Introduction of public private partnership system for creating employment opportunities can improve the situation which will also encourage some entrepreneurs to small business as well as open the door of alternative income generating activities (AIGA).

aquaculture-research-development-livelihood

Figure 3: Schematic diagram of livelihood outcomes of fishers.

Strength, weakness, opportunity and threat

This study identified the Strength, weakness, opportunity and threat of the fishers from their livelihood approach and represents these by SWOT analysis (Figure 4). Intrinsic brave, physical strength, hardworking capacity, simple life style, protein availability and women involvement in economic activities were strengths of the fishing community. Weaknesses included acute poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, poor infrastructure and linkage with public and private organization, lack of capital and lower participation in the decision making. Vast water resources, Scope of AIGAs, ecotourism, awareness rising through co-management practice were the opportunities for the fishing communities to develop their livelihood in sustainable way. Fishers are facing some threats that included frequent occurrence of natural calamities, over exploitation, high dependency on natural resources, poor income, political pressure and improper policy implication. A summary of the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with respect to the sustainable livelihood framework is given below (Figure 4).

aquaculture-research-development-communities

Figure 4: SWOT analysis of the fishing communities.

Discussion

Fishers are the key protein supplier to the consumer though they are still deprived of basic needs and other professional facilities [1]. Sustainable livelihoods approach (SLA) can be helpful to find out the existing status of fishers and fisheries resource [31]. Fishers require various assets to achieve positive livelihood outcomes [24]. Capitals like knowledge, skills, working ability and good health enable fishers to pursue their livelihood strategies and achieve their livelihood objectives [22]. Changes in food availability and affordability due to natural calamities and seasonality add an additional burden to the health and income of the community [31]. Rapid population growth in fishing communities accelerated natural capital depletion that affected fish production and fishing. Changes in the availability of fish (natural capital) could affect total profit and harvesting costs, resulting in greater costs in managing and accessing natural capital [31]. Income of the wetland’s fishers in Bangladesh is not up to the mark. Low income hampers the savings and induces the credit taking tendency. Informal source of credit is only easily available to fishers with unfavorable interest, terms and condition [10,32-34]. Mahmud (2007) indicated fishers of Chalan beel (largest beel of north region) area had the highest income of 8000 BDT (196,000 BDT yearly) and Lowest 3000 BDT (36, 000 BDT yearly) [19] that support the finding of this study (yearly average income 52, 280 BDT). Reduction in income causes decreased in catches due to overexploitation, seasonality and climate change that induce malnutrition and under nutrition [35]. Climate change is also responsible for reduction of fish abundance and catches [36-38]. Income diversification could be the best option to increase the income of the fishers [20,39] and reduce over exploitation as well as high dependency on natural resources. Women could also contribute in family income [40]. Alternative income generating option could vary from place to place according to local demand, age, education, gender and capacity of the fishers.

Frequent occurrences of natural calamities destroy and hamper the productive assets and infrastructures [33,38,41-43]. This increased exposure to the hazard could also be attributed to inadequate structural protection, health facility, potable water, and sewage and drainage facility. Vulnerabilities of fishing community could also be influenced by different factors like shocks (diseases, floods and drought), trends (economic trends) and seasonality (seasonal fluctuation of fisheries resources) as well as social factors such as policies, institutions and process [2,44,45]. Existing livelihood status of a community could be understood easily by analyzing the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats of a community.

Internal factors are discussed via strengths and weakness, while threats and opportunities focus on external factors that affect the communities [18,46]. The process is a simple, qualitative analysis that encourages the development of opportunities to build strengths of the communities and overcome weaknesses while at the same time utilizing community’s strengths to minimize vulnerability to external threats [32,46]. The view that emerges from this SWOT analysis suggests training and motivational program should arrange to increase awareness among the resource users and improve their skill for sustainable use of natural resource that will ultimately change their living status. It is also helpful for the organizations who are involved in the development of such communities to carry out the activities of the organizations and for the consideration of their effective options.

Conclusion

Creation of alternative livelihood opportunity for fishers of north eastern region is vital for the current situation. Most of the families of this area are directly involved in fishing to maintain their livelihood throughout the year though the socioeconomic status of the fishers is not satisfactory due to social, economic and technical constraint. There is also lack sufficient baseline information to initiate proper developmental steps and to improve the livelihood of fishermen. Resource base data bank should be established for future research and development. Implementation of appropriate policies, legal instruments and introduction of comanagement strategies for wetland management could improve the situation of the fishing communities and fish production of the wetland. Community based fisheries management could also improve the situation with the help of different government organizations, NGOs, donor organization, research organization and other national and international organizations. The findings of the present study could become a guideline for planning and management of the wetlands and development of the livelihood of fishing communities.

REFERENCES

Citation: Sunny AR, Masum KM, Islam N, Rahman M, Rahman A, Islam J, et al. (2020) Analyzing Livelihood Sustainability of Climate Vulnerable Fishers: Insight from Bangladesh. J Aquac Res Development. 11: 6. doi: 10.35248/2155-9546.19.10.593

Copyright: © 2020 Sunny AR, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.