GLOBAL fish production was 223.2 million metric tonnes in 2022. Bangladesh鈥檚 rank was 2nd in the world for freshwater fish production during the same year. Employment in fisheries and aquaculture around the globe has grown faster than the world鈥檚 population. The sector provides jobs to tens of millions and supports the livelihoods of hundreds of millions.
Fishing is always risky and one of the primitive occupations in the history of human beings. Fisheries resources of Bangladesh are divided into two main categories, such as marine fisheries and inland fisheries. Marine fish are an important source of per capita food (protein) consumption and play a vital role in the national economy. Bangladesh has an Exclusive Economic Zone of 166,000 square kilometres. It also has territorial rights over 200 nautical miles.
The fisheries sector of Bangladesh contributes 2.43 per cent to the national Gross Domestic Product and fish accounts for 67.80 per cent of national animal protein consumption. The sector also plays an important role in rural employment generation and poverty alleviation. Historically, marine fishermen of Bangladesh had been categorised into different castes and sub-castes of Hindus. Historically, the large majority of the fishing community is Hindu. Jaladas (slaves of water) are low-caste Hindus belonging to small-scale fishing communities and catch fish in the Bay of Bengal of Bangladesh from generation to generation. However, there is no updated information on fishermen based on para (neighbourhood), source of fishing, religion, socio-economic conditions, and position. The ministry of fisheries and livestock approved guidelines for the registration of fishermen and the issuance of identity cards in 2019. This guideline professed that there were no proper statistics of fishermen in Bangladesh before 2012. The Department of Fisheries implemented a project for their registration and created an online database of fishermen in 2012-2017. This project registered 1.62 million fishermen and gave them identity cards. It is reported that some non-fishing groups are also registered.
According to the Coastal District Information 2005 under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan, the majority of traditional fishermen are Hindus in 19 coastal districts. In most cases, Jaladas live in segregated neighbourhoods within a village. The high-caste Hindu and the Muslim aristocracy and gentry carefully avoid any social mingling with them. Traditional fishing communities, which mainly comprise Hindus, are being put under pressure by incoming Muslims who have taken up fishing as their profession. The newcomers are either self-employed or find employment as labourers. The majority of Muslims opt for fishing due to population pressure, economic constraints in the agricultural sector, and adverse effects of climate change.
Climate change鈥檚 effect on ecosystems, livelihood insecurity, vulnerabilities, adaptation, resilience, and uncertainty in small-scale fisheries of Bangladesh. Any climate-induced transformation within the ecology fundamentally affects the well-being of all Jaladas. As the poorest of the poor, they are primary targets of adverse environmental attacks such as cyclones and flooding. Decreasing production of per-unit effort and disappearance of fish species caused by climate change fall the Jaladas into livelihood vulnerabilities. For example, Dora Bailla (Dusky Sleeper), Kala Tailla (Blackspot Threadfin), and Riksa Mach (Paradise Threadfin) have almost disappeared in Swindip Channel, Chattogram, because of climate change. Marine ecology and innocent Jaladas are frontline victims of global climate change.
Capitalists who have not had any initial interaction with fisheries have started investing in trawlers and highly automated boats. The Marine Fisheries Office of Bangladesh (2019) revealed that there were 91 industrial fishing trawlers in 1984-85. At present, a total of 257 industrial fishing trawlers obtained licenses from the government. Many commercial fishing boats use high-powered engines, i.e., from 300 horsepower (HP) to 350 HP. Businessmen have been importing destructive gears, producing sophisticated gears, linking with the global fish marketing chain and owners of foreign trawlers, and having the capacity to influence policy decisions in favour of them. They have limited consideration about ecological damages.听
Fishing for Jaladas is not only a source of livelihood but also part of their life. Weak governance and poor execution of existing laws are major causes for the destruction of fisheries. The majority of Jaladas are in financial debt and receive short- and long-term loans from relatives, neighbours, and businessmen. Their incomes usually increase during Hilsa fishing season. The scope for savings for this community is limited. During the off-season, they face financial crises. Many adolescent boys accompany their fathers during fishing. A few of them receive primary education but fail to continue. Fishermen don鈥檛 get loan facilities from financial institutions due to a lack of mortgage-free loan provisions in government banks. The rate of early marriage within this community is higher due to abject poverty and social insecurity. And youth delinquency is also a major problem.
Jaladas don鈥檛 own land. They mainly live on khas (government-owned) land, embankments, and accreted char land in huts. Due to the depletion of fish, piracy, and lack of capital, these people remain stuck in the vicious cycle of poverty. They do not even have access to safe drinking water as they live in overpopulated areas. The government should address these issues pertinent to the Jaladas community in relevant sectoral policies so that these people can live with dignity and their rights are protected.
听
听Dr Mohammed Mamun Rashid听is a development professional.
