STUDIES ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS INVOLED MARKETING CHANNEL OF MARINE FISHES IN COX’S BAZAR REGION

Abstract

The fishermen community is an integral part of the coastal areas of Bangladesh which is mostly dominated by small-scale or artisanal fishermen. This study was conducted in three landing places of Cox's Bazar, Ukhiya and Teknaf with the objectives of identifying the challenges faced by the small-scale fishermen involved in the artisanal fishery and identifying the marketing channel of marine fishes. Several survey methods were adopted including the distribution of questionnaires to the fisherman; interviews with coastal inhabitants, use of PRA, RRA tools and direct field visits. The survey results indicated that there are different environmental and socio-economic factors such as lack of employment opportunities, health facility, and conflicts among stakeholders influencing the livelihood significantly. Middle aged people of 30 to 45 years old were mostly involved in artisanal fishing and most of them were illiterate ranging from 30% to 82% in various study point. Most of the families were medium type and having daily income less than 250 TK. Teknaf shows highest number of poor stakeholders. Major fishing activities are beach seine, set bag net, trammel net, bottom gillnets (doba jal), long lining and gill netting. July to August was the peak season in those areas for fishing. In this situation, different ecological as well as socio-economic challenges make the fishers more vulnerable in their livelihoods.