Md. Abdul Wahab

A review on the present status and management of mangrove wetland habitat resources in Bangladesh with emphasis on mangrove fisheries and aquaculture

The mangrove forest of Bangladesh, the largest continuous mangrove bulk, is one of the most important features of the coastal area of the country. The existence of the mangrove has increased the values of other coastal and marine resources such as the coastal and marine fisheries by increasing productivity and supporting a wide biological diversity. The deltaic mangrove of Bangladesh is ecologically different from the other, mostly nondeltaic mangroves of the world and is unique also in its floral and faunal assemblage; therefore, a number of endangered plants and animals that are extinct from other parts of the world, are existing in Bangladesh mangrove. However, the mangrove has been under intensive pressure of exploitation for the last few decades which, in addition to direct clearance and conversion have placed the mangrove under extreme threat. Shrimp farming is the most destructive form of resource use the mangrove has been converted to, which contributed significantly to mangrove destruction with a corresponding loss of biological resources. Concerns have been raised among the ecologists, biologists, managers and policy makers since the early 1990s; deliberate destruction of mangrove and unplanned development of coastal aquaculture particularly shrimp aquaculture have been put under extreme criticism and the sustainability has been questioned. The present status of the mangrove resources including mangrove fisheries and aquaculture and management practices have been reviewed in this paper; impacts of different forms of human interventions and resource use have also been discussed. It is suggested that the management options and the policy aspects should be critically reviewed and amended accordingly; beneficiaries and stakeholders at all levels of resource exploitation must take part and contribute to conservation and management. An immediate need for mangrove conservation has been identified.

Linking Human Nutrition and Fisheries: Incorporating Micronutrient-Dense, Small Indigenous Fish Species in Carp Polyculture Production in Bangladesh

Background Fish and fisheries are important for the livelihoods, food, and income of the rural population in Bangladesh. Increased rice production and changing agricultural patterns have resulted in a large decline in inland fisheries. Implementation of carp pond polyculture has been very successful, whereas little focus has been given to the commonly consumed small indigenous fish species, some of which are rich in vitamin A and minerals, such as calcium, iron, and zinc, and are an integral part of the rural diet. Objective The overall objective of the research and capacity-building activities described in this paper is to increase the production, accessibility, and intake of nutrient-dense small indigenous fish species, in particular mola (Amblypharyngodon mola), in order to combat micronutrient deficiencies. The large contribution from small indigenous fish species to recommended intakes of vitamin A and calcium and the perception that mola is good for or protects the eyes have been well documented. Methods An integrated approach was conducted jointly by Bangladeshi and Danish institutions, linking human nutrition and fisheries. Activities included food-consumption surveys, laboratory analyses of commonly consumed fish species, production trials of carp–mola pond polyculture, teaching, training, and dissemination of the results. Results No decline in carp production and thus in income was found with the inclusion of mola, and increased intake of mola has the potential to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Teaching and training of graduates and field staff have led to increased awareness of the role of small indigenous fish species for good nutrition and resulted in the promotion of carp–mola pond polyculture and research in small indigenous fish species. The decline in accessibility, increase in price, and decrease in intake of small indigenous fish species by the rural poor, as well as the increased intake of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), the most commonly cultured fish species, which is poor in micronutrients and not preferred for consumption, are being addressed, and some measures taken by inland fisheries management have been discussed. Conclusions The successful linking of human nutrition and fisheries to address micronutrient deficiencies has relevance for other countries with rich fisheries resources, such as Cambodia and countries in the Lake Victoria region of Africa.

Water quality and partial mass budget in extensive shrimp ponds in Bangladesh

Abstract In a Bangladeshi–Norwegian project, water quality analyses have been conducted in some brackish water shrimp ponds stocked with Penaeus monodon in Bangladesh. The water-sampling program included five extensively improved farms in the Khulna region and four improved extensive farms in the Coxs Bazar region, annually producing 100–500 kg ha−1. In addition to water sampling, data of input of manure, fertiliser and feed; shrimp stocking density, mortality and production; and water exchange rate data were collected. Measured pH, salinity and concentrations of dissolved oxygen and gaseous ammonia were usually within acceptable ranges for shrimp farming. However, sub-lethal levels of ammonia can be present and create stressing conditions. Low salinity could also create unfavourable environmental conditions. In one Gher, frequent sampling of inlet–outlet water was carried out during one production cycle. On average, the concentrations of total phosphorus and total nitrogen were reduced by 70% and 40% through the pond (inlet–outlet), respectively. Apparently, 80–90% of the supplied nutrients in fertiliser and inlet water was trapped in the pond. Consequently, the extensive shrimp culture in Bangladesh seems to act as a sink for solids and nutrients in the water that led to the system.

Water and sediment quality parameters in the Chalan Beel, the largest wetland of Bangladesh*

A study was conducted to investigate the status of the water and sediment quality in the Chalan Beel-a major fresh water fish reservoir of the country for a period of one year from July 2007 to June 2008. The mean values of water quality parameters (depth: 214.73±152.22 cm, temperature 27.68±4.26°C, transparency 123±82 cm, pH 9.7±0.47, total alkalinity 137±42 mg/L, conductivity 307±147 μs/cm, total dissolved solids 183±89 mg/L, ammonia-N 0.27±0.39 mg/L, nitrate-N 0.09±0.07 mg/L, phosphate-P 2.01±2.53 mg/L) and sediment quality parameters (pH 7.21±0.35, organic matter 2.59±0.52%, total nitrogen 0.09±0.04%, available phosphorus 5.4±3.6 Meq./100 g and exchangeable potassium 0.43±0.14 Meq./100 g) were within the range recommended for most of the inland fishes of Bangladesh. Although the water and sediment quality parameters except ammonia and phosphate are in the suitable range, the overall results suggest that better management techniques should be practiced in order to overcome the declining trend of associated aquatic life (fauna and flora) of this important fresh water body of Bangladesh.

EFFICIENCY OF FISHING GEARS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON FISH BIODIVERSITY AND PRODUCTION IN THE CHALAN BEEL OF BANGLADESH

This research theme is the impact of the proactive transfer of motor learning between handball and basketball; carry out of the first year of secondary school pupils (15-17 years) of high school IdrisSenouci of Mostaganem city (Algeria). This study aimed to show the existence of a reciprocal proactive transfer of motor learning in the subsequent practice between handball and basketball in the direction of basketball to handball. For this, I hypothesized that there is a reciprocal proactive transfer motor learning engine between handball and basketball in favour of the sense of basketball to handball. To realize this study, I selected a systematic sample of 184 pupils’ boys and girls representing 36.44% of the population retort on four groups, two experimental and two controls to compare their results. And in order to measure the impact of reciprocal proactive transfer of motor learning between handball and basketball, I have conceived an experience based on the experimental protocol of Schmidt (1975) which compares between the performances of an experimental group to those of the control group. Thus, and after analyzing the results of the experiment, it is proved that the proactive transfer of motor learning was embodied in the sense of basketball to handball depending on three statistical means that are the T Students, the percentage of development, and the transfer index of Murdock.