Culture-Based Fisheries and Pen Culture Technologies Enhanced Income of Tribal Fishers in Bamuni Beel, Assam

Abstract

Culture-based fisheries and pen culture technologies demonstrated in Bamuni beel, Assam through community participation to support income and livelihood of local tribal fishers. Little or no supplementary stocking was practiced in the beel, resulting in low fish production and modest net annual income to the community members during 2019-20. Advanced carp fingerlings @ 3,000 no. ha^-1 were stocked in the beel during October, 2020 for development of CBF. CIFRI-HDPE pens (3,000 m² area) were installed in the beel and stocked with carp fingerlings @ 3-9 no. m^-2 during February, 2021 and reared for 6 months. A total of 13.52 tonnes of fishes were harvested from the beel during 2021-22. The revenue generated was shared by the 65 tribal fisher families receiving an annual net income of Rs. 44,763.00 per family. Adoption of CBF and pen culture thus led to 117% increase in total fish production and 153% increase in net income for the local fishers compared to that in 2019-20. This can be replicated in other similar regions with similar technological interventions.