INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREA CO-MANAGEMENT (IPAC) - BIDS

All 63 44 47 20 33 207
Note: 1=0-25; 2=26-50;3=51-75;4=75 +(Decimals);
11 cells (15.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is 1.16.
Chi-Square = 60.2 which is significant at 99% limit.
3.2 Various Features related to SRF Extraction
This section delineates various features related to extractions of SRF products. The features
include collection process, occupation pattern and working months, seasonality, fish catch from
sanctuaries, capital structure, working capital and incidence of dadons, income level, cost
structure, marketing facilities and severity level of climate change.
3.3.1 Collection and Payment System
Gura (Small) Fish
Gura (small) fish includes, among others, Amadi, Fesha, Chanda, Tela, Kowa, or any other
small species. Normally gura fish catch takes place on a weekly basis. One boat (manual)
consisting of 2 to 3 people (depending on size of boats and nets) carries out the catch in two to
three trips in a month.
Like in other harvests, some of the intermediaries in this sector as well are themselves involved
with the collection related activities. As in other cases, some of the Farias are also collectors,
some of the Aratdars or even wholesalers often get involved in the collection process. Our
survey shows that on an average one boat with more or less 2-3 collectors catch in the range of
20 to 60 Kg of gura fish
Generally, Farias cannot sell their catch to anybody other than Aratdars/wholesalers as
contractual obligation at a price which is not often fair. In the case of gura fish, usually Farias
collect fish from collection grounds. Some Farias who are directly involved in the collection
process sometimes sell their products in villages.
Farias or Mahajans have to invest in nets and boats for fishing, some borrowing from local
Aratdars at a high interest rate. Average cost of food and others in each trip is around Tk 2-3
thousand per person. The owners, however, have many risks. Sometimes they lose their whole
investment due to cyclone or robbery in the sea.
Sada (white) Large Fish
Sada (white) large fish consists of, among others, Rupchanda, Bhola, Pasha, Bhetki, Pangas and
Payra. Normally fishing takes place on a weekly basis. Like in other fish products, for Sada fish
as well, there are two goons (peak) – bhara goons and mara goons in a month, each lasting 4 to
5 days 55 . The remaining days are lean time for fishing. One boat consisting of 4 to 8 people
usually travels twice a month. .
55
Bhara goons are the situation referring to most appropriate time - when fish catch is most
plentiful around full moon (Purnima)). Mara goons are when fish catch is, again, plentiful
around new moon (Amabasha).
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