Fishing gears and crafts commonly used at Hatiya Island: A coastal region of Bangladesh

The study was conducted on traditional fishing nets and crafts that are used by professional fishermen (including small, medium and large scale fishing) at Hatiya in the district of Noakhali, Bangladesh. Primary data were collected from local fishermen through Personal Interview (PI), Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and observation; secondary data were collected from District Fisheries Officer (DFO) and Upazila Fisheries Officer (UFO). The study reveals different types of fishing nets including fixed purse nets, gill nets, dip nets and cast net are used in the locality. The mesh size of the fixed purse nets vary in 0.1-2.5 inch (anterior end) and 0.2-0.5 inch (posterior end), gill nets vary in 0.5-15 inch, dip nets vary in 0.1-0.2 inch and cast net 0.5-1 inch during study. Generally these nets are lasting in 2-3 years. For nets preservation no chemical or medicine are used, only the net is dried under the sun and put it on a safe and dry place. The present study suggests that different types of boats such as chandi, kosha, balam, tempu and dinghi nauka are being used at Hatiya. Traditionally sundari, jarul, gamari, chaplas and garjan woods and bamboos are used in boat making which are locally available and last for 5-10 years. Usually 90% of the boats are propelled by the engine and 10% of the boats are propelled by the sail and row. Most of the boats have no license which reflects lack of awareness and weak control by the regulatory agency. © 2014 Knowledgia Review, Malaysia