1.3 Programme Activities

A thorough survey of relevant literatures was undertaken, and available published and unpublished reports and information on the inland open-water fisheries were collected. Field trips were also conducted along with the scientists of the Fisheries Research Institute (FRI) to collect necessary data from the fishermen of Meghna river, Kaptai lake, old Brahmaputra river, and beels and rivers of Habigonj, Moulavibazar, Sylhet, Sunamgonj, Netrokona and Kishoregonj districts. Relevant data and information were also collected from the middlemen of the fish landing centres. For this purpose the consultant along with the FRI scientists visited Chandpur, Haimchar and Charbhairabi fish landing centres at Chandpur district, Rangamati fish landing centre at Chittagong Hill Tracts, Kuliarchar, Bhairab bazar and Chamrarghat fish landing centres at Kishoregonj, Mohangonj fish landing centre at Netrokona, Waishali and Dabor fish landing centres at Sunamgonj and Kazirbazar fish landing at Sylhet district. Necessary information and data were also collected with the help of Thana Fisheries Officers of the DOF in the greater Sylhet and Mymensingh districts. Besides, field trips were also conducted along with a FRI Scientific Officer to the districts of Habigonj, Moulavibazar, Sylhet, Sunamgonj, Netrokona and Kishorgonj to help implement the “Sylhet- Mymensingh basin fish stock assessment” projects.

During the field trips the District and Thana Fisheries Officers, Fisheries Resource Survey Officer, and fishermen were interviewed to obtain information related to fishing gears and crafts, their mode of operation, fishing intensity, fishing days and catch of different gears.