Fishpass is an independent hard structure, suitable for all season, effective in both partial and full flood control embankment projects and ensure safe movement of all kind of fishes round the year. It is also called as Fish way or Fish Friendly Structure. The idea of Fishpass is introduced in Bangladesh at 1990 decade.
Mainly six types of fishpass are found in the world. Such as- Pool type fishpass, Denil fishpass, Nature like bypass channel and fish ramps, Fish locks, Fish lifts and Navigation locks. Among above pool type fishpass is mostly common. This types fishpass consist of a series of pools installed to aid the fish to overcome natural or artificial obstacles during fish migration. Fish migration take place in all three directions such as upstream, downstream and laterally. The general principle of upstream fish passes facilities (called fish passes, fish ways or some times even fish ladders) is to attract fish that move up the river to a specific location in the river down stream of the obstruction so as ot induce them (actively) or even make them (passively) pass up stream by opening a water way (fish pass in the strict sense) or by trapping them in a tank and transferring them upstream.
In Bangladesh, total four fishpass have been built at different river bank side. Such as Kashimpur fishpas situated between Kushiyara river and Kawadighi Haor at Moulovibazer (1995), Tangail fish friendly structure situated on the east bank of Jamuna river at Tangail district (1996), Moricherdana fishpass at Chapai-Nawabganj district and Sariakandi fishpass situated betwen west bank of Jamuna rive and east bank of Bangali river at Sariakandi upazill under the district of Bogra. Among them Sariakandi fishpass is the largest and newest fishpass of Bangladesh allowing fish movement between the Jamun and Bangali river.
The sariakandi fishpass is rectangular in shape and pool and weir in type. Firstly it is made in 1990-91 but it is braked down by the pressure of water current. Then it is again constructed in 1999-2001 by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) under “The River Bank Protection Project”. The total cost of this construction is about Tk. 87.208 million.
The total length of this fishpass is 92.4 m and width 15 m. It is composed by three separate and parallel passages. All passage is consisted with same sized vents. Each vent size is 3.5 X 5.5 m. Three separate gates are used to control for passing water as well as fishes. The total expenditure for construction in Tk. 87.208 million.
In papers, there is a management committee for maintaining this fishpass. But in fact, it is solely managed by BWDB. Recently, a committee has been involved for maintaining it. The convener of this committee is upazilla fisheries officer, Sariakandi.
For increasing fish diversity as well as fish production, a fish sanctuary in build up in Bangali river. This sanctuary is located between Bakarbari and Paikpara area under sariakandi upazila. This sanctuary is maintained by Fourth Fisheries Project, Department of Fisheries.
After establishment of fishpass and sanctuary the fish diversity and production is increased. Fishermen of this area are well informed about the negative side of random and over fishing. As a result, The fish diversity and production and socioeconomic status of fishermen of this area are developed day by day.
Reference:
DoF, Sariakandi Upazila, Bogra District, Bangladesh
Acknowledgement:
All Honours students of 1st and 2nd batch of the Department of Fisheries, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh who help to prepare this page by giving photographs and information
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