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University, Khulna); RAHMAN, M.A. (Gazi Fish amount of production but may not be helpful for
Culture Ltd., Dacope, Khulna). Effects of Stocking higher economic return.
Densities on Production and Economic Return
from Thai Pangus, Pangasius Sutchi in Pond 543 HOQ, M.E. & KOHINOOR, A.H.M.
Culture. South Asian. J. Agric., 2007, 2 (1 & 2), (Freshwater Station, Bangladesh Fisheries
63-68. Research Institute, Mymensingh). Impact of small
indigenous species of fish (SIS) on livelihood of
Culture of Thai Pangas, Pangasius sutchi is a local fishing community in two upazilas of
recent popular practice in Bangladesh. An on farm Mymensingh. Bang. J. Fish. Res., 2005, 9(1), 101-
study was conducted on growth, survival, 102.
production and economics of the species in relation
to stocking densities of 5000 (Tl), 3500 (T2) and The fisher folk used to catch small indigenous
2500 (T3) fry/acre for 224 days culture period. A species of fish (SIS) from rivers, canals, wetlands
significant difference was observed in individual and floodplains at little or no cost for their
average growth gained for different stocking livelihood. Surplus fish was sold at the local
densities. The highest (1402 gm) and the lowest market to generate some little capital for the
(1229 gm) weight were gained by the stocking households. The livelihood and consumption of
density 2500 fry/acre and 5000 fry/acre SIS in fishing community of two upazilas viz.
respectively. The average weight gained (gm/14 Trisal and Ishwarganj under Mymensingh district
days) in different treatments Tl (5000), T2 (3500) were studied for 3 months in 2004. Most of the
and T3 (2500) also differed significantly where the fisher folk of the study areas belong to resource-
highest and the lowest value was 86.50 gm for T3 poor section of the society living below the poverty
and 81.38 gm for Tl, respectively. The individual level. Majority of them had no cultivable land. As
average growths (gm/day) were found gradually professional fishers they face many problems
increased for all the treatments which were during lean fishing period from January to April
recorded as 5.81±0.26 (Tl), 5.83±0.31 (T2) and due to little or nonavailability of fish. Majority of
6.18+0.19 (T3) gm/day. The survival rates were the fisher households consumed SIS three to four
observed as 85.47%, 88.81% and 95.32%, while days a week. The fisher households of Trisal
the food conservation ratio were 2.18, 1.80 and upazila consumed more small fish than those of
1.51 for the treatments Tl, T2, and T3, Ishwargonj upazila. More than 50% respondents
respectively. It was observed that the highest consumed <20 g SIS/day and 20% consumed >40
(5449±51.82 kg/acre) and the lowest (3306±38.I8 g SIS/day in Trisal upazila. On the other hand, in
kg/acre) production was gained by the highest and Ishwargonj upzila, most of the fisher households
the lowest stocking density (5000 and 2500 (66%) were found to consume <20 g SIS/day. SIS
fry/acre) respectively. However, the economic was mostly available from July-December in
analysis showed that the trial with the lowest rivers, wetlands (beels), and canals, and income
stocking density (2500 fry/acre) gained the highest from fishing was reported to be good. The
economic return (64.89%) while the highest dominant SIS was Puntius spp., Mystus spp.,
stocking (5000 fry/acre) gained the lowest return Anabas testudineus, catfishes, mola, and small
(28.97%). The result of the study indicates that prawns. Non-indigenous species like tilapia was
increasing of stocking density may ensure higher also dominant in Trisal upzila where aquaculture
practices were well established.
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