Structural and Operational Aspects of Fishing Traps of Meghalaya, North East India

Abstract

Fish traps are passive fishing gear which lured the fish either for food or shelter and get trapped through appropriate hard or soft structures. Documentation of these traditional fish trapping methods from the northeastern parts of India is limited. This study attempts to document the traditional fish trapping devices from four districts of Meghalaya with respect to its structure and operation. The depicted survey highlights 11 types of fish traps which were classified into three major categories such as tubular, basket and box traps. Average length of these documented traps ranged from 0.25- 1.5 m and mostly operated during monsoon and post-monsoon season in floodplain and low-lying areas like rice fields, ponds, shallow rivers and ditches. Murrels, minnows, barbs, mahseers and catfishes were the dominant fish catch from these gears. Most of the traps were fabricated with bamboo and locally available materials with a life span of more than 2-3 years. Results revealed that Khnu/Chiap, is the most popular and efficient trap with a CPUE of 2.5 kg day-1 trap-1. Documentation and the knowledge concerning the traditional gears will facilitate to improvise the fishing gears which will ultimately improve the livelihood of fishermen in the northeastern region of India.