ABSTRACT
Bangladesh prides itself on being very rich in fish diversity. Its numerous and diverse inland waterbodies – beels (floodplain depressions and lakes), ponds, rivers, canals, ditches – and paddy fields, are home to over 267 freshwater fish species (Rahman, 1989). In terms of production, it is reported that only China and India outrank Bangladesh in freshwater fisheries. In addition, coastal and marine fisheries also have a large biodiversity. In the mangrove waters in Sundarbans, over 400 fish species, as well as other aquatic animals such as shrimp, prawn and crab are reported (Islam and Haque, 2004). In rivers and estuaries, the fish catch is dominated by one migratory species, hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha; “Macher raja ilish – hilsa, the king of fish”), which makes up 11 per cent of the annual total fish production (Department of Fisheries, 2010). Millions of people, especially the rural poor, are dependent to varying degrees on these fisheries for their livelihoods, income and food. These rich fishery resources, which are intrinsically intertwined with rice production, are exemplified in the old proverb “Machee bhatee bangali”, literally translated as “Fish and rice make a Bengali”. Together with the staple, boiled rice eaten by many at least twice per day and vegetables, fish is an essential and irreplaceable animal-source food in the Bangladeshi diet.
