Relative Abundance of SIS Compared to 10 Years Ago
Local Name
Scientific Name
Less Available Rank
Nandan/Meni
Along
Bashpata
Kakila
Betranga
KajaJi
Ghaura
Napeet Koi
Ghangra
Rayek
Shorputi
Pabda
Baijaffengra/Bejina
Baccha
Titputi
Gooja/Gooja kata
FoJi
Koi
Gajar
Nadus nandus
Rasbara elanga
Ailia eoila
Xenentodon eaneila
Botia dario
Ailliithys punetata
Chopisoma gama
Badis badis
Labeo boga
Cirrhinus reba
Pllntius sarana
Ompokpabda
Mystlls vittatus
Eutropliehthys vaeha
Puntius ticto
Aorichthys seenghala
Notopterus notopterlls
Anablls testlldineus
Chmma marulius
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
In both the districts it was apparent that both men and women thought that the younger generation were less familiar with
SIS. Young people, particularly those not engaged in fishing consider that fingerIings of boromaeh (Rui, Catla, and other
carps, Jatka (Hilsa) and others) are chotomaeh.
Sixteen major reasons were given by respondents for the decline and disappearance of SIS. These are given in the table
below:
Reason for Disappearance of SIS
• Construction of flood embankments
• Siltation in Khals and Beefs
• Less place for fish to live and renew stock
• River flow regulated through structures (sluice gates)
• Increased catch of spawn, fry and fingerling
• Water not entering floodplains and beels at right time
• Increased use of destructive nets and fishing gears
• Increased catch effort throughout the year
• Increased catch effort during monsoon and water recession
• Use of pesticide
• Broodfish of SIS is being caught indiscriminately
• Water pollution causes fish not to breed properly
• Use of fertilizer
• No inundation at all
• Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) disease
• Less eggs fertile, less spawning due to water pollution
Ranking
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
What is the role of SIS in maintaining the aquatic ecological balance?
Most respondents considered that SIS were a "blessing of nature", and that such fish had been available in abundance since
time immemorial. This had been possible because the climate and other environmental conditions had been conducive to
their survival. Some people said that because of their importance in the human diet, the diet of the fish must also have some
significance to the environment.
21