As one of the major components of the blue economy and food security, coastal fisheries resources are vital for the sustainable economic development, livelihood security, management and conservation. However, concurrent comprehensive study on assessing abundance and composition of faunal diversity from coastal and marine waters are scant. A yearlong field inventory was conducted with the aim to assess the present status of available fish and shellfish taxa from marine and estuarine waters of South-Eastern coast explicitly Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar districts of Bangladesh. Both qualitative and quantitative data concerning the current perspectives of fishery resources to assessing the existing realities of species compositions were accounted. The collected taxa (specimens) were identified based on expert knowledge sharing, secondary document consultation and internationally practised appropriate methods. A total of 64 taxa including 54 finfish species under 27 families and 10 shellfish species under 2 families were recorded from the study area. On the basis of family-wise contribution Sciaenidae showed the highest percentage (11%) represented by 6 species, followed by Gobiidae (9%) and Scombridae (9%) both represented by 5 species, whereas Engnaulidae and Cynoglossidae scored (7%) with 4 species. For shellfish (shrimp) species Pennidae exhibited (80%) contribution represented by 8 species followed by Hippolytidae (20%) represented by 2 species. The specimens were then preserved in the laboratory as the first step towards setup of a Fish Museum in the Faculty of Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) which may facilitate laboratory education for effective leaning and helpful to respected stakeholders including scientist, researchers, students and managers as well.

Keywords: Blue economy, biological diversity, conservation, fish museum, laboratory education

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is an important diadromus fish species in the South and Southeast Asia, especially in Bangladesh. The fish has its unique nature gained international demand for its nutritional value, taste, special aroma and delicacy. It is considered as the national fish of Bangladesh and contributes significantly to the national economy. The hilsa fish is available almost throughout the year in the major rivers and their tributaries, as well as in the Bay of Bengal. During last two decades, the feeding, spawning, nursery and migratory areas of hilsa have been reduced in the up streams. Hilsa fishery is also suffering seriously from recruitment overfishing (catching jatka) and growth overfishing (catching brood hilsa). To optimise these situations, an incentive based hilsa management and conservation programme had implemented during the period of five years from July 2008 to June 2013. The on-going hilsa management activities have been designed to enhance the implementation of hilsa conservation measures during seasonal ban period, as well as to improve livelihood of jatka fishers by creating alternative income generation options. Hilsa catch data and socioeconomic information were collected from fishers through interview using prescribed format by Upazila Fisheries Officer and Field Assistant. Due to introduction of some socio-friendly management regimes, abundance of jatka was also found 195% higher and hilsa production was increased gradually year after year. Finally, the total hilsa production has increased 26.74% in the year 2012-13 in comparison to the base year (2005-06) production 2,77,123 tonnes (traditional management period).

Keywords: Incentive, hilsa management, overfishing, conservation

A study was undertaken to know the extent and causes of genetic erosion of citrus species at Jaintapur upazila of Sylhet district during July to November 2013. A total number of 15 citrus species were recorded from the studied homestead areas. Sorbati lebu (Citrus limmetta) and Deshi lebu (Citrus limon) were identified as endangered while Kolombo lebu and Pati lebu (Citrus limon) as critically endangered species. Kot lebu, Sulang lebu and Tuna lebu were identified as extinct from the study area. On the other hand, Zara lebu (Citrus medica), Ada jamir (Citrus assamensis), Kata jamir (Citrus jambhiri), Kurun jamir (Citrus aurantium), Elachi lebu (Citrus limon), Kagzi lebu (Citrus aurantifollia) and Komola lebu (Citrus sinensis) were found in safe condition as they were grown commonly in most homesteads of the study area. Diseases and insect pest infestation were the most serious problems responsible for the genetic erosion of citrus species followed by lack of credit facilities, and quality seed and seedling. In the study area farmers’ perceived most importance for homestead citrus species conservation was related to fruit and food (83%) followed by subsistence family income (49%) and soil erosion control (32%).

Keywords: Genetic erosion, conservation, citrus