1. 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
BENJapan Teleconference/ Webinar on Environmental Aspects
WEA15 : 3 September 2011, Saturday

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Materials and Methods
Selection of study area

11. River Basin of Bangladesh

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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 (%)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

32. 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

33. 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

34. Thank You All

35. Contact information
Dr. Md. Abdus Salam
Professor, Dept. of Aquaculture
Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202 Bangladesh