Indigenous Fishing Gears in Suraha Lake, India

Accelerat ing t he world's research.
Indigenous fishing gears in Suraha
Lake, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Pankaj Kumar Srivastava
Cite this paper
Downloaded from Academia.edu 
Get the citation in MLA, APA, or Chicago styles
Related papers
Download a PDF Pack of t he best relat ed papers 
Fishing devices of t he river Siang in AP India.pdf
Romen Ngasepam
Fishing gears used by t he Fishers at Rupsha River in Khulna Dist rict , Bangladesh
Kazi Ahsan Habib, PhD
Int ernat ional Journal of Fisheries and Aquat ic St udies 2017; 5(6): 108-114 Impact s of fishing gears on…
Dr. Sabuj Kant i Mazumder
J Wet Eco 2011 (5): 73-78
Journal of Wetlands Ecology
Wetland Friends of Nepal (WFN)
http://www.nepjol.info/index.php/jowe
ISSN: 2091-0363
Short Note
Indigenous fishing gears in Suraha Lake, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, India
P.K. Srivastava1 & S. J. Srivastava2
12
Department of Zoology, S.M.M. Town Post Graduate College,
Ballia. 277 001, Uttar Pradesh, India
Present address: 1Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR),
Barrackpore, Kolkata. 700 120, West Bengal, India
Received:2011-05-02
Accepted: 2011-06-30
Published:2011-12-30
Abstract
The study aimed at assessing the indigenous fishing methods adopted by the fishermen in Suraha Lake. Survey was conducted during August
2002 - July 2004. Information was collected through participatory rapid appraisal covering the entire lake and four fishermen villages viz
Mairitar, Surajpura, Kaithauli and Basantpur. Study indicated that various types of local indigenous traditional fishing gears are used by
fishers for commercial exploitation of the lake. Plank-built boats (Dingi) were used in the fishing. These boats are small and light and
prepared locally by fishers. Gill net and cast net were the main gears and contributed more then 80% of the total fish catch of the lake.
Indigenous fishing gears comprising gill nets, cast nets, traps, etc., have been discussed showing their modus operandi.
Key words:Indigenous fishing methods, suraha lake
*
Corresponding Author: P.K. Srivastava, e-mail: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
In Suraha Lake a number of traditional indigenous fishing techniques are used by the fishers since long. During the
course of this study many indigenous fishing methods were observed, which are employed by the fishers for the commercial
exploitation of Suraha Lake. It includes a wide variety of fishing gears like gill nets, cast nets and traps. The plank-built boats
are used in the fishing. These fishing crafts and gears are locally prepared by the fishers. Fishing is the main occupation of
fishers living around the vicinity of the lake. The crafts/gears and the fishing methods play a vital role in the scientific and
judicious exploitation of any water body and its management (Kolekar 2009). A total 53 fish species were reported from
Suraha Lake, 21 species belonging to Cypriniformes, 12 Siluriformes, 3 Symbranchiformes, 13 Perciformes, 1
Tetradontiformes, 3 Clupeiformes and 1 species to Beloniformes (Srivastava and Srivastava 2009). The Cypriniformes
contributed maximum being 36% of the total record. Among the fish catch structure the cat fishes and featherbacks were most
important (35- 40%) followed by IMC (15-20%), minnows (15-20%), air breathing fishes (5-10%) and minor carps (2-5%). A
sharp decline in Indian Major Carps has been observed during the last one decade showing an increasing trend of minnows and
cat fishes in the lake. The abundance of fish species was maximum in summer season2. Many workers have studied the fishing
methods being followed in many rivers and lakes of the country (Hornell 1923; Jhingran 1963; Saxena 1966; Naik and
Neelakanthan 1988; Sahoo et al., 2007; Datta and Bhattacharjya 2009; Gurumayum and Choudhury 2009).
73
Srivastava & Srivastava 2011
J Wet Eco 2011 (5): pp-pp
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Study Area
The study was carried out in the Suraha Lake (known as Suraha Tal), in district Ballia of Uttar Pradesh. It is an open
type oval ‘U’ shaped ox bow natural lake (river meandering) in the floodplain of river Ganga. This is one of the main fishing
systems, located 8 km north to the Ballia district headquarters. It is extended between the parallels 25°48′ and 25°52′N lat. and
84°8′ and 84°13′ E long altitude (m) 166 (Fig. 1). The lake circumference is about 25.6 km. Its area is about 2602.18 sq ha and
during monsoon season it covers about 3642.25 ha (Srivastava and Srivastava 2009).
Figure 1. Schematic map of Suraha lake
The lake has an open connection with the Ganga river through Katehar nullah, its length is about 8 km, which drained
and filled according to the water level of the river Ganges resulting into complete inundation during the monsoon months.
Suraha Lake receives large amount of water through adjoining areas as well as Madha and Garari nullah, pour their water into
the lake and is drained out by Nakta drain and Suraha Tal canal system.
It is an important natural resource of fisheries in the Ballia district and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is a potential resource
for capture fisheries and forms the lifeline for rural economy and environment of the area. Low-lying area is used for a variety
of human activities including agriculture, paddy culture and irrigation. It has a great recreational value and it also supports
local agriculture, irrigation and tourism.
Data Collection and Analysis
Data and information on fishing methods were obtained through extensive field surveys and interaction with the local
fishermen of the Suraha Lake during the period from August 2002 to September 2004. Intensive Surveys were made in the
entire lake as well as four fishermen villages like Mairitar, Surajpura, Kaithauli and Basantpur, which are situated around the
vicinity of the lake. The data are analysed descriptively and presented qualitatively.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In Suraha Lake the commercial fishing is conducted using gill net, cast net, traps and angling. In all 7 types of indigenous
fishing gears used in fishing of Suraha Lake are described below:
Fishing gear
The fishing activity in lake was observed throughout the year with peak seasons being summer and winter with low water
levels. The main fishing gears used by the fishers in the lake include gill nets, cast nets, traps, hook and lines. The heavy
infestation of macrophytes especially the submerged weeds posed serious problems in the operation of nets and proper
exploitation of the fishery from the lake.
74
Srivastava & Srivastava 2011
J Wet Eco 2011 (5): pp-pp
1. Gill net
This oldest method of net fishing is very common in the fishing of the lake. Gill nets are usually operated at the surface of
the lake. The fishes caught in these nets were found to be gilled. The mesh size of the net depends on the species and the
targeted size range. Gill net fishing is the major fishing method being practiced by the fishers in the entire lake. The length,
width and mesh size showed high variations depending on the different size groups of targeted fish of the lake. Weaving of
the gill net is a skilled work and it is done by fishers itself (Fig. 2). Meshed nets ware operated in deeper waters. Gill nets
locally called Angulia jal, Hali, Phana, Parachute, Sarla.
Hanta
It is generally used throughout the year for catching carps and cat-fishes like Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Wallgo attu,
Cirrhinus mrigala, Mystus vittatus. The stretched mesh size of the gill nets ranged from 2 to 6 cm. The nets are vertically
suspended with floats and sinkers and are so adjusted that the net is maintained at the surface with submerged weed. Fishers
ply the nets in the evening and take out the catch next morning. During day time the nets are dried and repaired to be used
further in the evening.
Phana (Parachute)
Nets are used round the year in the Suraha Lake. The net is made up of nylon thread, more than 10 m long and stretched
mesh size varying from 1.0 to 3.0 cm (Fig. 3). Generally small and medium size fishes and cat fishes are caught in this net. The
nets are vertically suspended with floats and sinkers. Sinkers were attached to the footrope while thermocol were used as floats
on the head rope. The surface setting of the gill net is most common. In a day long operation of this net the fishermen get a
catch of 1 to 3 kg of small and medium sized fishes (Fig. 4). The fishermen ply these nets in the lake in evening and catch is
removed in the morning.
2.
Cast nets (Jhinguri)
The cast net is used throughout the year and widely operated in the entire lake. The fishers cast the net either from
boat or lake bank. The fishermen catch fishes only after several attempts throughout the day. The diameter of the cast net
ranged from 1 to 2 m and the mesh size was from 0.5 to 3 cm (Fig. 5). On the periphery of the cast net metallic sinkers are
attached to make the net sink. Mainly small fishes like Mystus, Puntius and other small catfishes varieties are usually caught in
all seasons.
3.
Trap (Kurel)
It is an efficient and most popular indigenous gear for fish trapping. It is operated from fishing boat during day
hours and throughout the year in the lake. Kurel is a domes shaped and made up of six to eight bamboo sticks, arranged in
circle and tightened to each other with the help of nylon rope. Bamboo rods are covered by nylon mesh measuring 2.0 to 3.0
cm. After assembly, the circumference of the dome is 5-10 feet and the height 10 feet. The top of the gear is provided with a
circular opening of about 1 to 2 ft in diameter for entrance of fisher in trap (Fig. 6). The catch of the gear includes major carps
like Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cirhinnus mrigala.
The operation of the trap is very interesting during fishing. The fishers carry the Kurail on boat and they drub by the wooden
oar (patwar) on the surface water and quietly observe the water movement to determine the presence of big fish. If the fishes
move very fastly they cover the area by Kurel in the water. The fishermen enter in the Kurail from the top mouth and collect
the catch.
75
Srivastava & Srivastava 2011
J Wet Eco 2011 (5): pp-pp
Figure 2. Fabrication of fishing net by fisherman
Figure 3. Gill net (Phana or Parachute)
Figure 4 Fish catch by gill net
Figure 5 Cast net
Figure 6. Kurela a popular fishing trap of Suraha Lake
76
Srivastava & Srivastava 2011
J Wet Eco 2011 (5): pp-pp
Figure 7. Hooks & line
Figure 8. Mosquito net
Figure 9. Fishing craft used by the fishers in lake
4. Spear fishing (Konch)
Spear fishing is an ancient method of fishing (locally called Konch). It consists of a long handle made by split bamboo
shaft. It’s length is about 1.50 to 2 meter, fitted with many barbed conical iron rods. It is thrown at the larger fishes by a man
standing in the boat. Konch are generally used in the shallow areas of the lake for catching high valued large fishes like carps
(Labeo), murrels, cat fishes and other species. It is totally a selective mode of fishing as the target is seen before striking. This
method is applied in shallow and small water areas.
Fishers usually apply this special method to spear fish. During the monsoon season, when fishes breed and exhibit parental
care, guarding their young ones from the predators, the fishers after recognising the fish shoal, hit the spear. Another major
chance to catch fishes with spear is during summer season when lake water recedes, the big fishes often get trapped in the
shallow patches of water.
5. Hooks and Lines (Bansi)
The use of line and hooks (Locally called Bansi) is one of the oldest methods of fishing. It is very popular among the
children of the fishers. The stick used is made up of bamboo. Generally, hooks are tied to a nylon rope (Fig. 7). The nylon
rope is then put in the lake water during the evening hours and the hooked fishes are collected in the next morning. Earth
worm, wheat flour, molluscs muscle and larvae of flies are used as baits. Murrels and cat fishes specially Channa spp.,
Heteropnustis fossilis, Clarias batracus and tutles spp are caught by this method. This is operated in shallow areas near the
lake bank.
6. Mosquito net
A fine mosquito net is used to catch small prawn (Macrobrachium lamarrei) and small fishes in shallow areas. During
fishing, two persons hold the net at both sides and sieve, when sufficient numbers of prawn and fishes are caught. It is oprated
in the shallow area of the lake (Fig. 8). Most of the catches are consumed by the fishers themselves.
7.
Crafts (Dingi)
The small wooden boat called ‘Dingi’ is used by the fishers in lake for fishing. The crafts are generally plank built,
made up locally by Shisham wood (Dalbergia sissoo), earlier a decade back dugout canoes were very common in the lake,
which are rare now. The size of boat varies from 17'× 3' to 18'× 4' (Fig. 9). The boat preservatives used in painting with
bitumen (locally called Dammar), act as water resistant and protect crafts from decay and destruction. It also gives long life to
the craft besides making the boat leak proof. Every six months the craft is completely painted by the dammar. The
manufacturing coast of boat was estimated around Indian Rs. 8000-10000 with a life span of 8-10 years.
77
Srivastava & Srivastava 2011
J Wet Eco 2011 (5): pp-pp
Socio-economic Status
The overall ecological degradation of the Lake has brought socio-economic problems in fishers specially those who
adopted traditional fishing and totally dependent on the Lake for livelihood. Fishers have been always facing many social
problems like scarcity, marginalization, child labor, migration, occupational displacement and many others. Mainly all these
problems are due to lack of scientific methods of fishing and is totally responsible for ecological degradation of the Lake.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Suraha Lake is facing many problems and is under stress at present. Its existing fish production is deteriorating at an
alarming rate. The following management measures may be helpful for the improvement and sustainable development of
fishery of Suraha Lake.
• Awareness campaigns need be organized by Govt. and local NGOs on proper scientific fishing methods for all
stakeholders.
• For conservation and protection of fish diversity, the killing of Brooders should totally be banned.
• Less than 2 cm. mesh size nets should be strictly banned in this lake to conserve the Indian major carps.
• Training and awareness programme should be organised for local fishers engaged in the commercial exploitation of
the lake.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to Principal, S.M.M.T. Post Graduate College, Ballia for providing all necessary facilities and the authors are
grateful to Dr. N. P. Srivastava, Principal Scientist, CIFRI, Barrackpore for critically going through the manuscript and
valuable suggestions. Special thanks to all fishers of the lake who helps during the study.
REFERENCES
Datta R, Bhattacharjya BK, 2009. A traditional fishing method of Assam for catfishes using duck meat as an attractant. Indian Journal of Traditional
Knowledge 8 (2): 234-236
Gurumayum SD, Choudhury M, 2009. Fishing methods in the rivers of Northeast India. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 8 (2): 237-241
Hornell J, 1923. The methods of fishing in Ganges. Memorial Asiatic Society of Bengal 8 (3): 199-237.
Jhingran VG, 1963. Report on the fisheries of the Chilika Lake, 1957-1960. Bulletin Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute Publications, Barrackpore,
India
Kolekar V, 2009. An account of observations on fishing gear and crafts of Mandovi estuary of Goa. Journal of Inland Fisheries Society India 41 (1): 41-46
Naik UG, Neelakanthan S, 1988. Gear and crafts of Karwar - An overview. Fisheries Journal of Indian Association 18: 245-252
Sahoo PK, Dash HK, Sadangi BN, 2007. Traditional prawn fishing by women in Chilika Lake: A case study. Journal of Inland Fisheries Society India 39 (1):
55-59
Saxena RK, 1966. The fishing nets and traps in a section of the middle reaches of Ganga river system of India. Proceedings Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council 2
(2): 250-271
Srivastava PK, Srivastava SJ, 2009. Suraha Lake (Jai Prakash Narayan bird sanctuary) Ballia, U.P. A Good Natural Resource of Biodiversity that highlights
the need for conservation. Fishing Chimes 29 (4): 28-31
Srivastava PK, Srivastava SJ, 2009. Checklist of Fish Species Richness of Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, Suraha Lake, Ballia, U.P., India, Our Nature
7: 207-211
78
Srivastava & Srivastava 2011