Impact of Climate Change on Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture in Bangladesh: Adaptation Measures need to be taken Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Professor, Department of Aquaculture Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh, Bangladesh masalambau@gmail.com BENJapan Teleconference/ Webinar on Environmental Aspects WEA15 : 3 September 2011, Saturday www.benjapan.org/wea

Out line of the presentation Background-coastal and inland Materials and Methods Out comes Conclusion and Measures need to be taken

Background Bangladesh is the biggest deltaic country in the world The country has world’s largest continuous mangrove forest the “Sundarbans” The country also has the widest longest sea beach at Cox’s bazar” Most of the landmass of the country is in between 1-10m MSL The economy of the country based on agriculture and related activities

Background (cont.) IPCC estimated global temp would rise 1.8 – 4.0oC and Sea level 9 to 88 cm by the year 2100 With the CC and estimated SLR, 1/6 of Bangladesh low laying land may go under water The Sundarbans mangrove forest and other coastal wetland would disappear Flood and cyclone intensity will increase tremendously Storm surge may go 7.4 to 9.1 m with 1 m SLR

Background (cont.) Millions of CC refugees will migrate in near by town and high land areas SIDR in Nov 2007 and AILA in May 2009 destroyed the whole coastal region Most of the embankments and roads have destroyed Tidal force do not allow them repair or rebuild yet People in the areas are leading miserable life with the tidal water Breeding and feeding ground and habitat of freshwater fishes have reduced a lot

Background (cont.) This presentation is about CC impact on inland fisheries and Aquaculture Bangladesh is a riverine country crisscrossed by 700 large and small rivers Fish and fisheries resources play a vital role in the socio-economic development of the country The sector contributes 63% animal protein, 5.3% to GDP and 12% of the total foreign exchange earnings

Background (cont.) 10% people including 1.3 million full time fishers are dependent on fisheries for their livelihoods However, climate change is directly or indirectly affecting fishery production Fish reproduction, growth and migration patterns are affected by temperature, rainfall and hydrology It has adversely affected both fresh water and marine fisheries of Bangladesh

Background (cont.) Impact of CC on Fisheries and Aquaculture Lost aquatic biodiversity Less rain fall Fluctuating Rain, less fish growth Low water, increased fishing pressure High Temp., dries up water bodies Fish don’t breed

Objectives Hence the specific objectives were: The overall objectives of this study was to assess the CC impact on fisheries and aquaculture activities and livelihood of the stakeholders Hence the specific objectives were: To know the impact on hatchery and nursery operation and aquaculture and fisheries activities To know the socio-economic impacts on hatchery, nursery and aquaculture operations and on the fishing communities; and To find out the adaptive measures for sustainable aquaculture production and fish harvesting from the nature

Materials and Methods Selection of study area

River Basin of Bangladesh

Materials and Methods (cont.) Target Groups and sampling procedure for fisheries activities Sl. No. District Upazila Sample size FGD 01 Rajshahi Bagmara 10 3 02 Naowgaon Manda 03 Natore Gurudaspur Target Groups and sampling procedure for fish farming activities Sl. No. Types of fish farming Trishal (sample size) Bhaluka Muktagacha (No) 04 Fish farmers 15 05 Hatchery owners 5 06 Nursery owners

Results and Discussion Fish farming, Hatchery & Nursery component Types of Fish farm, size and year of establishment Criteria Trishal Valuka Muktagacha Type of fish farms Pangus 73.33 53.33 46.66 Carps 13.33 20.00 6.66 Tilapia Cat fishes 0.00 Thai Koi (perch) Native fishes Size of farms (dec.) < 400 26.66 400 to 800 40.00 33.33 800 to 1200 > 1200 Year of established < 5 5 to 10 10 to 15 > 15 3.33

High temp. hampered fish farming in Mymensingh region (%) Results and Discussion (cont.) Fish farming, Hatchery & Nursery component High temp. hampered fish farming in Mymensingh region (%)

Results and Discussion (cont Results and Discussion (cont.) Fish farming, Hatchery & Nursery component Fluctuating temp. and rain hampered hatchery and nursery operation (value in %)

Results and Discussion (cont Results and Discussion (cont.) Fish farming, Hatchery & Nursery component Fluctuating temp. and rain hampered hatchery and nursery operation (value in %)

Results and Discussion (cont Results and Discussion (cont.) Fish farming, Hatchery & Nursery component Farm management cost increased due to climate change

Results and Discussion (cont Results and Discussion (cont.) Fish farming, Hatchery & Nursery component Fish mortality increased due to climate change

Results and Discussion (cont Results and Discussion (cont.) Fish farming, Hatchery & Nursery component Perception of weather change by the stakeholders

Results and Discussion (cont Results and Discussion (cont.) Fish farming, Hatchery & Nursery component Coping strategies adopted by fish farmers

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Water availability in the beels before 10 yrs and at present (value in %)

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Water availability in the Rivers before 10 yrs and at present (value in %)

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component No. of fish species caught before 10yrs and at present (value in %)

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Factors affecting abundance of fish in natural water bodies

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Reason behind less number of fish caught (value in %)

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Change of water courses Shengrail river, Dumuria, Khulna 1977 2000 1990

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Change of water courses Bharda river, Batiaghata, Khulna 1977 1990 2000

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Biological activities affected by fluctuating weather (value in %)

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Late rain in previous year hampered fish production in following season (value in %)

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Fish susceptible to disease due to climate change (value in %)

Results and Discussion (cont.) Fisheries component Coping strategy to overcome the problems by fishermen

Conclusion The study has identified that the fish farming, hatchery and nursery operation in all three locations are moderately affected by climate change It is really a challenge for the fish farming communities to cope with the changing situation Fluctuating rain and temperature and prolong drought are the main causes of fish decline in northwestern region of Bangladesh The changing environment made the fisher communities livelihood vulnerable Greater understanding of climate change consequences is needed to boost up aquaculture and fisheries production in the country

Measures need to be taken Integrate aquaculture with agriculture for food security and high value food Create sanctuaries to protect the indigenous fish biodiversity and safe guard the fishing communities Increase income through alternative livelihoods like backyard vegetable gardening and nurseries Small scale “Backyard Aquaponics” could be another means of alternative livelihoods for the poor communities Govt., NGOs, national and international donor agencies should come forward to help the fish farming and fisheries stakeholders as they are not any way responsible for climate change

Thank You All

Contact information Dr. Md. Abdus Salam Professor, Dept. of Aquaculture Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202 Bangladesh +880 171 102 4408 masalambau@gmail.com