A socioeconomic and bioeconomic analysis of coastal fisheries of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 164 000 km2 and a continental shelf area of 66 440 km2. Artisanal (small scale) fisheries extend from the coast to 40 m while industrial (commercial scale) fisheries operate beyond 40 m depth. The coastal fisheries of Bangladesh exploit a complex multi-species resource. There are 18 demersal and pelagic species, seven species of larger pelagic and 10 shrimp species that are commercially important among the fishes exploited. In 1996 - 97, total fish production reached 1.3 million t with 75% from capture fisheries (0.9 million t) and 25% from aquaculture (0.4 million t). Artisanal fishing operations dominated the marine fisheries, contributing 82% of the total fish production. Information on the gross national product (GNP) and domestic product (GDP) showed that the share of agriculture has been declining over the years. The national income accounting procedure in Bangladesh divides the agriculture sector into crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. Fisheries contribute to economic development of the country in four ways: (a) helping to achieve high growth rates by creating the necessary value-added; (b) providing employment to a large number of people; (c) adding a large volume of valuable foreign exchange; and (d) providing a cheap source of essential food to lower income people. In 1997 - 98, GNP, GDP and value-added contributions at current prices by the fisheries sector amounted to US$35716 mil, US$34062 mil and US$1808 mil, respectively. Of the total export value of US$1217 mil, 8.5% (US$104 mil) came from fish and fish products. In terms of food consumption, fish ranks third as the most important food item with a mean per capita consumption of 8.36 kg╖year-1. There are three major fishing fleets in Bangladesh namely, the trawlers, the mechanized boats and the non-mechanized boats. In 1972 - 73, there were 10 trawlers and 200 mechanized boats operating in the fishing grounds of Bangladesh. This expanded to 54 trawlers, 3317 mechanized boats and 14 014 non-mechanized boats in 1996 - 97. Trawlers were divided into 41 shrimp and 13 fish units while mechanized boats included gillnet, set bag net and long-line gear. Non-mechanized boats are also used for gillnet fishing, set bag net fishing, long-line fishing, trammel net fishing and other gear. The Schaefer and Fox Models were used to estimate the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for the fisheries of Bangladesh. Results of these bioeconomic models show that MSY is estimated to be 4029 t at MSY effort of 9317 standard fishing days (SFD) using SchaeferÆs Model. MSY reached 4136 t at MSY effort of 11822 SFD using FoxÆs Model. The current catch of 2444 t at an effort of 7491 SFD indicates over-fishing. If this situation continues, the fishery resources will diminish with time. Precautionary measures should be adopted by the Government to minimize if not totally prevent over-exploitation of the fishery resource in the Bay of Bengal. The Government should enact laws and ensure their enforcement. The present number of large trawlers and boat owners should not be allowed to increase. The trawlers and large boat operators should avoid intrusion into near-shore areas and reduce discards/by-catch problems. Artisanal fishers should abandon destructive fishing gear like estuarine set bag net (ESBN), push nets and current jall that kill small fish. Community-based management should be adopted with initiatives coming from the Government, other international and regional agencies and the stakeholders.Fishery resources, Fishery surveys, Biomass, Population density, Shrimp fisheries, Catch/effort, Trawling, Mathematical models, Coastal fisheries, Marine fisheries, Ecosystems, Socioeconomic aspects, Artisanal fishing, Ecnonomic benefits, ISW, Bangladesh,

Text, Representation and Revision : Re-visioning Partition Violence in Khushwant Singh's Train to Pakistan and Bhisham Sahni's Tamas

Partition is a complex historical reality that continues to puzzle the minds of scholars, historians and imaginative writers, who, ever since its occurrence, have endeavored to comprehend, through their numerous texts and writings, the subtle nuances of the complex strands that shaped the making of this seminal event. The present study attempts to examine, through a comparative analysis of Singh's Train to Pakistan and Sahni's Tamas, how the profoundly sensitive and deeply perceptive imagination of both Singh and Sahni create texts which re-enact, with sheer clarity and force, the happenings of partition and hence enable the readers to re-vision the complexities involved in its occurrence, create awareness/consciousness in them regarding those historical blunders, the consequences of which are still borne by the people and also urge them to revise/reform their attitudes, thinking and practices so that their present as well future is safeguarded against such catastrophic events.La Partición es una realidad histórica compleja que continúa siendo un enigma para las mentes de eruditos, historiadores y escritores creativos, quienes desde su aparición se han empeñado en comprender a través de sus numerosos artículos y textos los ligeros matices dentro de los enfoques complejos que dieron lugar a este acontecimiento. Este estudio procura examinar, a través de la comparación de las novelas Tren a Pakistán de Singh y Tamas de Sahmi, de qué manera la imaginación altamente sensible y extremadamente perceptible de ambos autores da lugar a textos que promulgan, con plena claridad e ímpetu, los acontecimientos que dieron lugar a la Partición, haciendo posible a los lectores la revisión de las complejidades inherentes a los hechos, y creando en ellos un sentido de conciencia sobre los errores históricos, cuyas consecuencias todavía perviven, y urgen a reformar sus actitudes, pensamientos y prácticas, de forma que tanto su presente como su futuro queden a salvo de tan catastróficos eventos

G4: Assessment of the impact of anticipated external drivers of change on water resources of the coastal zone

This project will address the important external drivers that influence water resources of the coastal zone and to assess the anticipated changes in flooding, drainage congestions, salinity intrusion, water availability, sedimentation and risk of inundation of cyclone induced storm surge as a consequence of these drivers. The water resources in the coastal zone of the Ganges basin are vital for crop production, ecosystem sustenance and livelihoods. These resources are largely shaped by tidal dynamics and upstream flows, and are affected by changes in the natural, socio-economic and institutional systems. It is important to identify and prioritize these drivers, and assess their effects on water resources towards building resilient water governance and management to cope with the projected future conditions. Key activities of the project are: review of the existing model studies, literature, available data and collection of data; identification and ranking of external drivers; adaptation, calibration and validation of Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Water Evaluation And Planning System (WEAP) models for assessing baseline hydrological conditions; setup, calibration and validation of Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin model, South West Regional Model (SWRM), and Bay of Bengal (BoB) model; assessment of water flow pattern, salinity distribution, storm surge risk, sedimentation pattern in baseline and projected conditions; assessment of adaptation strategies to changes caused by key drivers; and exploration of policy implications for adaptation strategies and water governance. Key outputs of the project include: list of key external drivers; climate change projections for the study region; projection of scenarios for land-use and climate change; flow availability; salinity zoning map of the coastal Ganges; flood depth-duration map; water storage volume inside polders; storm surge risk map; sedimentation rate in peripheral rivers; plan for improvement of khal system, sluices and embankments; operation rules for sluices. Methodology: This project will develop a comprehensive list of external drivers based on past researches, global literature review, interaction with the major stakeholders and peers. This list will then be put under a well designed priority and ranking criteria for identification of the key drivers contributing to about 85-90% of the anticipated changes. On the basis of performance and field validation, appropriate models will be selected for studying the baseline conditions and effects of external drivers on salinity intrusion, water availability, drainage congestions and risk of inundation due to storm surges. The models available with IWM and partner organizations will be utilized to simulate the baseline and changed conditions in 2020, 2030 and 2050. The study will be conducted at two scales: regional level for the coastal regions of Bangladesh and at local level for the selected polders. On the basis of the anticipated impacts different adaptation strategies will be devised such as improvement of the land-use patterns, drainage canals, operation of sluices, strengthening of embankments, dredging, restoration of dry season freshwater flow for flushing salinity as well as restoration of the ecosystem. Specific adaptation strategies for choice and selection of the crops/aquaculture during different seasons and their salinity and submergence tolerance will be developed in consultation with G2 and G3 projects. Policy implications on these strategies and a required governance structure will be also explored in a participatory way. The implications of major national policies in the realm of national water policies, agricultural policy, environment policy, disaster management policy, and climate change adaptation strategy and action plan (BCCSAP) will be particularly emphasized. Likely Impacts: The output of this project is expected to be reflected in water use of local farmers and fishermen, water management by water control system managers and planning of the policymakers

Prevalence of ectoparasites in farmed Pangasius hypothalamus

Of the total 240 Pangasius hypothalamus (5 - 8.7cm) fry examined during September' O1 to February'02, 80 (33.33%) were found to be infested with one or more ecroparasites irrespective of genera or groups. Seven parasitic groups were identified with the highest average prevalence of Trichodinids (55%) followed by Dacrylogyrus spp. ( 42%), Episrylis spp. (8%), Apiosoma spp. (7%) Argulus spp. (5%), Gyrodacrylus spp. (4%) and Piscicola spp. (2%) the lowest prevalent group irrespective of months. Trichodinid and Dacrylogyms spp. were recorded to be the dominating parasitic groups among the seven both in terms of monthly prevalence and severity of infestation throughout the period of investigation. The highest prevalence (60%) of ectoparasite was recorded in December and the lowest (10%) in February irrespective of groups

Seasonal dynamics in the occurrence and abundance of Pseudo-nitzschia species in the Maheshkhali channel of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

Occurrence and abundance of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. at the mouth of the Maheshkhali channel of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh were studied. Plankton and water samples were collected monthly from the sub-surface water during high tide at daytime from June 2000 to May 2001. Four species of Pseudo-nitzschia, namely P. pungens, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. delicatissima and P. australis were identified and among them the first three were most commonly encountered and they varied seasonally. Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima was the dominant species during the autumn and winter months, whereas P. pungens was dominant during the summer and spring months. Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima exhibited its highest abundance level during the summer. Surface water temperature, salinity, nitrate-nitrogen (N03-N) and phosphate-phosphorus (P04-P) were recorded and their relationship with the occurrence and abundance of Pseudo-nitzschia species were studied. At the mouth of the Maheshkhali channel, Pseudo-nitzschia cell density was highest in late autumn (November) when highest salinity (35 o/oo) and P04-P (3.2 mg/l) concentrations and low temperature (23 °C) were recorded

Production and economic return in pangasiid catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) monoculture and polyculture with silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in farmers' ponds

The production of fish and net economic return in pangasiid catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) monoculture and polyculture with silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in farmers' ponds were assessed. The experiment was arranged in three treatments each with three replications. The ponds were stocked with 30,000 fishes per hectare. In treatment 1 (T1) pangasiid catfish only, in treatment 2 (T2) pangasiid catfish and silver carp at the ratio of 1:1, and in treatment 3 (T3) pangasiid catfish and silver carp at the ratio of 2:1 were stocked. At harvest, production of fish was found significantly (p<0.05) different among the treatments, highest in T1 and lowest in T2. Though the total biomass production and total economic return was significantly highest in T1 than in T2 and T3, the net economic return was lowest because of the required highest input costs especially for supplemental feed and fingerlings, resulted the highest cost per unit yield (CPY in Tk/kg) in T1. Highest cost for supplemental feed required in T1 was due to highest quantity of feed required for the highest number of pangasiid catfish stocked in that treatment. The findings of the present study suggest that though monoculture of pangasiid catfish give higher fish biomass production but polyculture with silver carp is environmentally good and economically profitable

Incorporation of Food Materials as a Source of Dietary Fibres and Natural Antioxidants in Meat Products and their Effect on Product Quality and Human Health: A Mini Review

Meat and meat products share an important status among the various food products because of their high biological value with the goodness of nutritional compounds. Meat is a perfect source of protein along with minerals, vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids and many other specific nutrients. Socio-economic factors have to lead to a change in lifestyle, which in turn has increased the demand for ready to eat products, among which meat products are also rapidly gaining attraction of consumers. Although these meat products have good nutritional value, they generally contain a large amount of fat and added salts but are lack of dietary fibre which leads to various health problems in human consuming meat and meat products. Lack of dietary fibre in meat products gives birth to coronary heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and intestinal cancer etc. Consumers are growing their consciousness towards the health aspect without compromising on nutritional benefits. Therefore, meat products fortified with significant levels of dietary fibre has been suggested. 28-36 g/day dietary fibre is recommended and which can be met by their incorporation in the diet of people consuming meat and meat products. The insoluble part of dietary fibre helps in regulation of intestinal function whereas soluble dietary fibre regarded as helpful in lowering cholesterol level by absorbing glucose in the intestine. Another critical problem concerning meat and meat products is the lipid oxidation which reduces the shelf life of product during storage. Natural antioxidants are suggested for retarding lipid oxidation and ultimately enhancing the shelf life of the product under storage. Synthetic antioxidants are losing publicity because they have revealed several toxicological effects during various studies. Thus there is a growing trend of use of natural antioxidants along with the dietary fibre obtained from plant sources in meat and meat products. Various food wastes such as fruit and vegetable by-products from food processing industries can serve the purpose of dietary fibre as well as natural antioxidants because of the polyphenolic compounds present in them. Generally, these by-products from fruit and vegetable processing industries are cheap, and their utilisation develops indirect income generation. The utilisation of vegetable and fruit wastes as a source of dietary fibre and natural antioxidants also reduces pollution to some extent which might be caused by their disposal. Thus along with waste reduction, cost reduction in economic terms, it also helps the environment by decreasing the load of their disposal. The incorporation of these by-products from various plant sources attracts consumers as they improve quality attributes viz. physicochemical, microbiological and organoleptic properties in meat and its products with health benefits and hence gives satisfaction to the consumers regarding their health consciousness

Socio-demographic correlates of exhaled breath carbon monoxide in Karachi\u27s adult population

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between CO levels and putative factors including smoking status among residents of Karachi, an urban center with very high levels of air pollution. METHODS: Two hundred and eighteen volunteering subjects were asked to maximally exhale into a Smokerlyzer breath CO analyzer. Each of the volunteers was also asked to reply to a questionnaire-based interview seeking demographic information as well as details of exposure to tobacco, traffic fumes and other air pollutants. RESULTS: Out of the 218 participating subjects, 75% were males and 27% were current or ex-smokers. The mean CO level was 2.92 parts per million (ppm). Cigarette smoking was the only factor found to influence CO levels. Number of cigarettes smoked per day was directly related to CO levels, while time since the last smoke was inversely related. There was no difference in CO levels between ex-smokers and never-been-smokers. Years of residence in Karachi, quantitative exposure to traffic and perception of occupational exposure to air pollutants were not associated with CO levels. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking status, number of cigarettes smoked per day and time since last smoke correlated well with exhaled breath CO levels, in spite of high air pollution levels. This tool therefore continues to provide a valid and real-time assessment of a subject\u27s current smoking status

The Supply Side Gaps and Opportunities of Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh

The growth and development of SME is largely dependent upon cheap and quick access to financial resources. More than ever before, nowadays SME contribute enormously to the economic development of a country; emerging economies top the list. In Bangladesh, 80% of the industrial employment comes through SME and hence much effort is being given toward flourishing it further. However, growth has been affected a lot with contracting funds in the hands of the owners making them vulnerable to slowing down. The major source of finance- the commercial banks face increasing risks from inexperience of the SME owners, lack of well prepared financial statements, in-depth knowledge about the actual need and government bureaucracies. This study attempts to light on the less pronounced challenges of SME development- those faced by the lenders or financers in the process. It has been found that in Bangladesh the segment is underserved by the financial institutions (FI) with less focus on providing customer-tailored products, no specialized credit risk assessment system and huge time required for credit clearance information are some of the bigger challenges. With the knowledge we will be able to identify the risks inherent in lending by the prime commercial banks as well as find solutions to increase the credit flow in the sector. Keywords: SME, Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), supply side, commercial banks