Introduction:
The fishermen of Beel are adapting with different types of trap for fishing purposes. Based on types and structure the traps are mainly of two types, closed trap and open trap. In maximum cases, the closed traps are simply box like structure and made of split bamboo, cane etc. The mechanisms of these traps are impounding the fishes inside trap at any ways. Usually the trap consist one way passage where the fishes enter the trap but doesn’t escape from it. On the other hand, the open traps have no distinct passages, fishes are easily entered or escape from it. This trap may be used as the temporary shelter for fishes. The open type traps are made with bamboo pole, aquatic plants, branches of trees etc.
Mainly the fishermen operate their trap in rainy season when the water flows of the Beel are much higher. Different types and sizes of trap are used by the fishermen and it’s completely depending upon the target species and their sizes that they would be caught, water depth, seasonality etc. The operation method of these traps are more or less similar. Due to easy operating method and cheap rate, marginal fishermen widely used these trap for commercial and household consumption purposes.
Methodology:
The study is based on field survey where primary data was collected from the Halti beel, Natore. Study duration was between the months of August 2006 and January 2007.
Trap details:
In Bangladesh, a total of 26 types of trap were identified (Das, 2000). The total numbers of traps are reduced regularly. At present, the fishermen used different types of equipments for fishing. About 6 types of trap were found in Halti beel there physical structure operating method and common caught species are given below:
Trap: Vair
Physical structure:
Long box like trap with a door extending from its base to its apex.
Made of split bamboo sticks tied with creeper or cane.
Small opening at the apex for collecting fish.
Size:
Height: 3-4 feet, Length: 2-3 feet , Width: 1.5-2.5 feet, gap between two bamboo sticks: 1-4 cm
Operation:
Used in shallow portion of the Beel.
In front of Vair a barrier is created with split bamboo made Bana
The trap checked up every one or two hour interval.
Catch composition: Usually large sized fishes, such as Carpio, Rui, Catla, Boal, Taki, Shol, Gazar, Shal, Baim etc.
Duration: 1 to 12 hrs/day.
Season: July to January.
Trap: Kholsun
Physical structure:
Rectangular box shaped.
Made of split bamboo tied with jute rope or cane.
Kholsun consists of two doors from its apex for fish opening.
Small opening present at its apex for collect the fish.
Size:
Height: 2 to 2.5 feet, Length: 3 to 4 feet, Width: 0.3 to 0.5 feet, gap between two bamboo sticks: 0.5 to 1 cm.
Operation: Set in shallow part of the Beel with the help of bamboo pole or tree branches during early morning or evening
Catch composition: Mainly small fishes, Baim, Koi, Punti, Tengra, Kaski, Mola, Moya, Chapila, Chanda, Khalisha, Gur-koi small prawn etc.
Duration: 1 to 12 hrs/day.
Season: July to January.
Trap: Bitte
Physical structure:
Basket shaped, made of split bamboo with two or three entrances.
There is an opening on the trap for collecting fish.
Based on trap doors and size two different types of Bitte are found:
Bitte (Small/Choto): Consists of three trap doors from base to apex.
Bitte (Big/Boro): Consists of two doors, first one is positioned in the width portion and just behind it there is another door in the middle portion of the trap
Size:
Height: 1-1.5 feet, Length: 1-2.5 feet, Width: 0.6-1 feet, gap between two bamboo sticks: 0.5-1.0 cm
Operation:
The trap is sunken (1 to 1.5 feet below from water surface) in shallow, where small current is present during early morning and evening
Checked up every one or two hour interval.
Catch composition: Usually small fishes including Tengra, Punti, Chanda, Khalisha, Gur-koi small prawn etc.
Duration: 1 to 12 hrs/day.
Season: July to January.
Trap: Chabi Jal
Physical structure:
Funnel shaped
Made of bamboo pole with cord net.
Size:
Height: 2.25-3 feet, Diameter (lower portion): 8-10 feet, Mesh size of net: 1-1.5 cm.
Operation: Fishermen press this trap to the mud bottom in shallow water and liberate the upper portion of the net from trap apex and captured the fish
Catch composition: Mainly large sized species like Boal, Shol, Taki, Carpio etc.
Season: December to February.
Trap: Polo
Physical structure:
Bell shaped, both ends are open.
Upper opening smaller and used for collecting trapped fishes.
Made of split bamboo.
Size:
Height: 1-2 feet, Diameter of upper portion and lower portion 0.8-1.0 feet and 1-2 feet respectively, gap between two bamboo splits: 0.7-1.0 cm
Operation: Fishermen presses this trap on the bottom mud in shallow water and put his hand through the top opening for catching trapped fish/es.
Catch composition: Varieties of species including Koi, Boal, Shol etc.
Season: December to February.
Trap: Banar Ghop
Physical structure:
Used as barricade or trap
Made of split bamboo, the bamboo pieces are tied with one another either by coconut fiber, nylon or by iron wires.
Size:
Have no definite size, width of the barricade or traps depend upon the water level.
Operation: Fixed vertically, in shallow water areas of the beel, against the water current with the help of bamboo poles.
Catch composition: Mainly large sized species including Rui, Bighead carp, Silver carp are the main target species.
Season: July to January.
Reference:
Das, B. 2000. Fish Collection Technology (Matsha Shangraha Projukti, in Bengali), Banglades Acedemy, Dhaka, 199 p.
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