A LIVELIHOOD ASSESSMENT OF SHRIMP POST LARVAE COLLECTORS AT REZU KHAL, COX’S BAZAR COAST, BANGLADESH

Abstract

A study on the livelihood strategy of shrimp post larvae collectors was undertaken at Ukhiya upazila in Cox'sbazar district. The study goals included determining the socioeconomic situation and issues related to post larvae collectors alternative method of subsistence as well as the status of their current means of subsistence. A survey was carried out in the Rezu khal of the Ukhiya upazila through an open-ended and closedended questionnaire from February to September 2021. The majority of families in the research region (52 percent) consisted of five to six people, with a maximum age range of 31 to 40 years. In the group of people who collected the post larvae, 78% of them were men and 22% were women. Approximately 32% of families belonging to larvae collectors were extended, whereas 68% of families were nuclear. A small percentage of the larval collectors could only sign (22 percent), while the majority (64 percent) were illiterate. About 32% of collectors resided in homes constructed of bamboo. The peak period for capturing PL was March to May. The larval catchers typically operate for 10-15 minutes every haul and go out twice a day, often from 4 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 5 pm. The majority of PL collectors have been at it for at least ten years. About 8% family had a highest income of Tk.15000-20000 and only 2% family had an income of Tk.20000 above. About 80% of the collectors used fishing as a secondary source of income during the off-season. The study will help to identify livelihood status of shrimp post larvae collectors and the alternative works of PL collectors during the off-season.