An assessment of the impact of climate change on the inland capture fisheries of Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) : a case study in Meghna River, Bangladesh

Hasan, Shanur Jahedul

An assessment of the impact of climate change on the inland capture fisheries of Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) : a case study in Meghna River, Bangladesh - Pathum Thani : Asian Institute of Technology, 2016 - 73 leaves : ill. - Thesis ; no. CC-16-03 . - Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. CC-16-03 .

A thesissubmitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2016

Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) is the largest single fishery in Bangladesh which contributes around 1 % to the national GDP. Lower Meghna River is the most important habitat of Hilsa as it encompasses the major part of nursery and breeding grounds of this species. Climate change driven alteration of environmental variables such as temperature, rainfall, river discharge, sedimentation and oceanic parameters such as sea surface temperature, chlorophyll content and primary productivity are likely to affect Hilsa fishery of inland and marine sector. Time series of Hilsa landing from four major inland Hilsa landing stations (Chandpur, Barisal, Bhola and Lakshmipur) along the Meghna River and one marine Hilsa landing site (Cox'sbazar) were correlated with 1-2 year lagged time series of some selected environmental variables by using XLST A T. Trend analyses of Hilsa landing along with environmental variables were also under taken using MAKESENS (Mann-Kendall test for trend and Sen's slope estimates). Landings of Hilsa displayed increasing trend in all sites while the selected environmental variables rainfall, temperature, river discharge and sedimentation showed spatial and temporal variation in trend. All of the selected oceanic parameters showed basically no trend. Correlation analysis exhibited variation in annual level and monthly level. Most of the climatic variables with 1-2 year lag were displayed negative correlation with Hilsa landing annual level whereas month to month correlation showed positive relation. Accordingly it was hypothesized that the selected environmental variables may influence survival of Hilsa in early life stage. None of the selected oceanic parameters were found to be significantly correlated with Hilsa landing from marine source. Analyses of stakeholder's perception towards climatic and anthropogenic factors affecting inland Hilsa capture fisheries from Meghna River showed that anthropogenic interventions such as use of harmful fishing gear, increased fishing effort, Indiscriminate killing of Juveniles and brood Hilsa are affecting inland Hilsa fishery more than alteration of climatic variables like rainfall, river discharge and sedimentation. In the light of the analyses of the present study Inland Hilsa capture fishery is found to be more vulnerable to the impact of alteration of climatic variables then marine Hilsa capture fisheries.


Climate change--Bangladesh--Meghna River--Case studies
Fisheries--Bangladesh--Meghna River
Tenualosa--Bangladesh--Meghna River
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