Exploring the potential of culture-based fisheries for augmenting income of tribal beel fishers: A success story from Assam

Abstract

The floodplain wetlands are amenable to different forms of enhancement options including culture-based fisheries (CBF). Fish production potential of this system is very high, but realized average actual production is still on the lower side. This reflects unscientific and poor management of resources. Therefore, on-field studies were carried out in collaboration and successful adoption and implementation of CBF in beels, has led to 117% increase in total fish production, 153% increase in net annual income of tribal fishers, 64% increase in total fish production and 106% increase in net annual income of tribal fishers in Bamuni and Charan beel, respectively. Per capita fish production (kg/fisher family) and fish production per unit area (kg/ha/year) doubled in Bamuni beel, while it increased by 1.5 times in Charan beel, post implementation of CBF. Studies suggest that technology of CBF practices if expanded properly in floodplain wetlands have the potential to improve fish production, maintain sustainability and increase fishers’ income.