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categorized as rural market (Sutiakhali market), a kg per month in three markets. The price of SIS
peri-urban market (Kamal Ranjeet market, BAU) ranged widely from taka 50-450/kg depending on
and an urban market (Notun Bazar market, species, location of market, time of purchase and
Mymensingh town). It was learnt from the survey the condition of fish. In general small prawn, ticto
that the availability of Small Indigenous Fish barb, dwarf gourami, Gangetic leaffish, and
Species (SIS) declined to a great extent over the Annandale loach were sold at a lower price (ranged
last few years and at presently many of such fish taka 50 - 100/ kg) and these species could be
species are either threatened or at the edge of considered at the bottom of the market-price list.
extinction. The supply of SIS was highest in KR Other SIS like walking catfish, climbing parch,
market (37 % of total) and more or less similar in butter catfish, cotio and schilbid catfish valued as
Notun Bazar and Sutiakhali fish market (25 and 27 highest price (ranged taka 150 - 450 /kg). There
% respectively). The total supply of SIS fluctuated was no specific marketing chain for SIS in
from 25% to 35% throughout the year in these Mymensingh region. The components of marketing
markets. About 48 SIS were found in the sampled channels and their expansion varied with seasons
markets over the survey period. The highest and locations, The general pattern, however, was
number of species (45) was found in KR market as this - after buying fish from fish
followed by Notun Bazar (42) and Sutiakhali (37) farmer/fishermen, middlemen (locally known as
fish markets. During the survey, three critically Foria) used to buy fish to wholesale market and
endangered species namely, schilbid catfish, garua sell to the wholesalers. The retailers used to buy
catfish and rita were found in these markets. fish from wholesaler through auction to the highest
Beside these, other 11 and 10 species were listed to bidders. The retailers then send the fish to
be endangered and vulnerable respectively. The particular market where the fish reached the
biodiversity of 21 SIS found in three markets were consumers.
no threat at all. Three species (guntea loach, Indian
glass barb and flying barb) were 'data deficient' as The livelihood strategy of SIS retailers in three fish
reported by the IUCN Red Book (lUCN- markets showed that socio-economic constraints
Bangladesh 2000). From the supply point of view such as low income, poor educational background,
small prawn, spotted snakehead, stinging catfish, low economic status and lack of capital are the
pool barb, striped dwarf catfish, Gangetic mystus, main constrains. Most of the retailers proposed that
walking catfish and tank goby were the prominent government should control the fish price
fish. The least available species found in this throughout the year, so that the producers can get
survey were lesser spiny eel, barred spiny eel, reasonable and stable price. Construction of cold
Gangetic ailia, freshwater garfish, zig-zag eel, storage and preservation facilities at market sites,
flying barb, Ganges river sprat, freshwater river improvement of road and communication,
shad and dwarf gourami. The weight of SIS improvement of physical market facilities and
available in Notun bazar was highest and nearly reduction of market chain is essential. Credit
double than other two markets. There was no facilities, improvement of their standard of living,
significant difference recorded in the supply of SIS health and sanitary condition, housing condition,
in Sutiakhali and KR markets. The average children education and access to drinking water
monthly SIS supply was 185, 192 and 467 kg in facilities were identified as additional aspects to
KR, Sutiakhali and Notun Bazar, respectively; improve socio-economic condition of SIS retailers.
therefore, the cumulative average supply was 844
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