Clap net Operation in Brahmaputra Valley for Capturing Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822)

Abstract

Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) is an anadromous
fish existing in estuaries and seas and migrates to
freshwaters of river Brahmaputra for breeding. Clap
nets, locally known in Assam as shangla jal, kholar
jal and kami jal are specially designed fishing gear
to catch hilsa. This gear has a purse shaped outline
and comprises of a bag net supported on an
elliptical bamboo frame opening. The net is operated
in the month of May-July, when the flood level
is high and the water velocity is strong. The
maximum catch coincides with the peak migratory
season of the fish, encountered in the lower reaches
of the river Brahmaputra. Clap nets were observed
to have an important contribution in terms of gear
preference and selectivity by fishermen associated
with hilsa fishing compared to seine nets and gill
nets, mostly due to its ease of operation, low cost
of fabrication and maintenance, low labour intensity
and higher effectiveness.