fish harvesting and handling

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Fishing Gear
Fishing Gear any form of equipment, implement, tool or mechanical device used to catch, collect or
harvest fish. Fishermen in many parts of Bangladesh catch fish with their hands. In rural areas, in seasonal
waters or beels, during winter, people can be usually seen fishing with different traditional gears while
some even do so without any gear. Different types of nets, traps, hooks, lines and spears are used as fishing
gear.
Thela Jal Dharma Jal Polo Anta
Types of fishing gear:
 Fishing nets
 Traps
 Hooks and lines
 Spears and harpoons
 Mechanized pumps
We only discuss about fish traps, hooks, lines, spears that are found in Noakhali region.
Fish Traps
Traps are fishing devices into which fish or shellfish are enticed by bait or shelter spaces or enclosures
where they are guided to enter, because of an obstacle placed in their normal migration path and from
which their escape is made difficult by constriction, retarding valves or labyrinths. Trap fishing is a passive
fishing technique of ancient origin. There is extraordinary variety in their design, fabrication and
operation. In rural Bangladesh during rainy season when there are floods people use these traps. Different

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traps seen in different parts of the country are Bega, Darkee, Anta, Tepai, Dheal, Cheng, Chari, Chandi
Bair, Bana, Polo, Raboni, Anga etc.
1. Anta
Physical structure:
Basket shaped, made of split bamboo with two or three entrances. There is an opening on the trap
for collecting fish. Based on trap doors.
Size:
Height: 1-1.5 feet, Length: 1-2.5 feet, Width: 0.6-1 feet, gap between two bamboo sticks: 0.5-1.0
cm.
Operation:
The trap is sunken (1 to 1.5 feet below from water surface) in shallow, where small current is
present during early morning and evening Checked up every one or two hour interval.
Catch composition:
Usually small fishes including Tengra, Punti, Chanda, Khalisha, Gur-koi small prawn etc.
Duration:
1 to 12 hrs/day.
Season: December to February
December to February.
Price: 80-100 taka

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2. Benta
Physical structure:
Rectangular box shaped. Made of split bamboo tied with jute rope or cane. Benta consist of two
doors from its apex for fish opening. Small opening present at its apex for collect the fish.
Size:
Height: 2 to 2.5 feet, Length: 3 to 4 feet, Width: 0.3 to 0.5 feet, gap between two bamboo sticks:
0.5 to 1 cm.
Operation:
Set in shallow part of the Beel with the help of bamboo pole or tree branches during early morning
or evening
Catch composition:
Mainly small fishes, Baim, Koi, Punti, Tengra, Kaski, Mola, Moya, Chapila, Chanda, Khalisha,
Gur-koi small prawn etc.
Duration:
1 to 12 hrs/day.
Season:
December to February.
Price: 120-150 taka
Fig. Benta

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3. Polo
Physical structure:
Bell shaped, both ends are open. Upper opening smaller and used for collecting trapped fishes.
Made of split bamboo.
Size:
Height: 1-2 feet, Diameter of upper portion and lower portion 0.8-1.0feet and 1-2 feet respectively,
gap between two bamboo splits: 0.7-1.0 cm.
Operation:
Fishermen presses this trap on the bottom mud in shallow water and put his hand through the top
opening for catching trapped fish/es.
Catch composition:
Varieties of species including Koi, Boal, Shol etc.
Season:
December to February.
Price: 200-450 taka
Fig. polo
4. Harol
Physical structure:
Long box like trap with a door extending from its base to its apex. Made of split bamboo sticks
tied with creeper or cane. Small opening at the apex for collecting fish.
Size:
Height: 3-4 feet, Length: 2-3 feet , Width: 1.5-2.5 feet, gap between two bamboo sticks: 1-4 cm.

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Operation:
Used in shallow portion of the Beel.In front of Vair a barrier is created with split bamboo made
Bana The trap checked up every one or two
hours interval.
Catch composition:
Usually large sized fishes, such as Carpio,
Rui, Catla, Boal, Taki, Shol, Gazar, Shal,
Baim etc.
Duration: 1 to 12 hrs/day.
Season: July to January.
Price: 250-500 taka
Fig. Harol
5. Icha Chai
Physical structure:
Icha chai is a triangular or cylindrical shaped trap made of bamboo splits and threads.
Size:
The length and the width are typically about half and quarter of a meter respectively.
Operation:
The device has small trap doors at one end and
the other end remain close by a rope and also
used to collect fish. Bait is used to lure the fish.
The trap is kept at the shore area where the
intensity of the water flow is low and generally
operated at the night period.
Catch composition:
This trap is used in the whole area to catch Baim (Mastacembelus armetus) and prawn.
Price:
300-400 taka

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Fig. Icha Chai
 Device that are used to store fish during fishing
1. Kholoi
Physical structure:
 Bell shaped, circular or oval in shape. One side
is open. Made of split bamboo.
 This device is used to store catch fish by net or
by fish trap.
Price: 50 - 80 taka

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Table 1: Different types of trap used for fishing in Noakhali
Name of the
trap
Cost
(Taka)
Material
s
Perso
n
Boa
t
Season Species
Loca
l
nam
e
Englis
h
name
Anta Box trap 80-100 Split
Bamboo
01 No December
to
February
Tengra, Punti,
Chanda,
Khalisha, Gur-koi
Benta Box
Trap
120-150 Split
Bamboo
01 No December
to
February
Baim, Koi, Punti,
Tengra, Kaski,
Mola, Moya,
Chapila, Chanda,
Khalisha, Gur-koi
small prawn
Polo Bell
Shaped
Trap
200-450 Split
Bamboo
01 No December
to
February
Koi, Boal, Shol
Harol Box
Trap
250-500 Split
Bamboo
01 No July to
January
Carpio, Rui,
Catla, Boal, Taki,
Shol, Gazar, Shal,
Baim

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Advantages of trap fishing
- High species and size selectivity
- High potential for survival of discarded non-target species
- Low energy requirement in operation
- Low environmental impacts during operation
- Excellent condition of the catch which are usually alive when caught
- High market value of the catch
- Traps can be made from locally available materials
Disadvantages of trap fishing
- Traps are usually bulky and occupy considerable space on board and are relatively difficult to
operate and haul during rough weather
- High loss rate during operation
- Ghost fishing by lost traps leading to unwanted fishing mortality
Wounding Gears
Wounding fishing gears were made up of bamboo, wood shifts with forks or group of iron points. These
devices were used when large fishes float or drift on the surface water. Spearfishing is an ancient method
of fishing. Spears are the fishing devices which are used to catch fish by throwing or wounding fishes.
Spearfishing conducted with an ordinary spear or a specialized variant such as a harpoon, trident, arrow
or eel spear. We found Two types of spears in Noakhali.
1. Konch
Physical structure:
Konch having more than 10 pieces of bamboo splits are firmly fixed in a bunch. The pointed ends
of the bamboo splits are covered with sharp and pointed iron caps to increase the efficiency.
Icha
chai
Tubular
Trap
300-400 Bamboo
Splits
01 No December
to
February
Baim and prawn.

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Mode of operation:
The konch is thrown at the fish with great force so that the prongs pierce the fish. It is normally
operated by the fishermen from a boat or embankment. It was operated in shallow water to catch
bottom and pelagic fishes. The sharp end of the prong wounds the fish. It was found to operate
during high flooding period when large fishes moved close to water surface near the land. During
fishing, operator aims the target fish and throws the gear towards the fish. Iron target fish and
throws the gear towards the fish. Iron fisherman then collects wounded fish.
Catch composition:
Fish caught by this gear are Shol (Channa striatus), Gozar (Channa marulius), Taki (Channa
punctatus)
Fig. Konch
2. Teta
Physical structure:
Teta is a wounding gear made of a long bamboo handle about 2 to 4 m long and several iron hooks
with iron rod at the base. The length of iron rod is about 60 to 65 cm with hooks at the apex. The
iron rod with hooks is tightly tied with the bamboo handle by coconut thread or iron wire.
Mode of operation:
Same as konch
Catch composition:

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The fisherman throws the gear to target species like Boal (Wallago attu), Shoal (Channa striatus),
Taki (Channa punctatus), Bele (Glossogobius giuris) and others fish species.
Fig. Teta
Table 02: Different types of wounding gears used for fishing in Noakhali
Name 0f The
Wounding Gear
Length of
Handle
(meter)
Person
Needed
Boat Caught Species Season
Local
Name
English
Name
Konch Spear 2-3 01 No Shol, Gozar, Taki All
Teta spear 2-4 01 No Boal, Taki, Gozar
Bele and others fish
species
All
Hook & Line
Hook and line gear consist of a minimum of two parts, a hook that is attached to a monofilament line.
Artificial or natural baits are used to lure fish to the hook and once the fish has bitten the hook it is hauled
in. It has been suggested that the first fishing line was actually Eskimo walrus hide line used with a
harpoon. Hook and line gear are used to catch benthic, demersal, and pelagic fishes.
Modern fish hooks come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. There are two main types of hooks:
J-hooks and circle hooks. J-hooks are manufactured with the point of the hook parallel to the shank of the
hook creating a J-shape. Circle hooks are manufactured with the point of the hook turned perpendicularly
to the shank forming a circular shape. Traditionally J-hooks have been used in most fisheries, but recent

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efforts have been made to promote the use of circle hooks in more fisheries. Circle hooks have resulted in
higher catch rates and reduce mortality rates of both the discards of the targeted species and bycatch.
Both J-hooks and circle hooks can be barbed or barbless. Barbed hooks have an additional point (barb)
that protrudes from the inside of the hook that helps to retain the bait on the hook as well as a fish once it
has been caught. Barbless hooks do not have an additional point and thus it is easier to remove from the
fish when caught, which is considered less damaging to the fish.
We have visited Chairman Ghat, Dotter Hatt and Pourobazar and we found different types of hook and
line that are used by the local people of Noakhali, these are given below:

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 Hooks
A hook that is attached to a monofilament line, artificial or natural baits are used to lure fish to the
hook and once the fish has bitten the hook it is hauled in. Hook and line gear are used to catch benthic,
demersal, and pelagic fishes. Local people are used different types of hooks that are varying with size
and shape for catching various types of fish such as Boal, Koi, Taki, Tengra, Rui, Katla etc. Now we
see various type of hook:
Types of hooks:
Modern fish hooks come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. There are two main types of
hooks:
 J-hooks
 Circle hook
a) J hook: J-hooks are manufactured with the point
of the hook parallel to the shank of the hook
creating a J-shape.
b) Circle hooks: Circle hooks are manufactured
with the point of the hook turned perpendicularly
to the shank forming a circular shape. Fig. a) J hook b) circle hook
Traditionally J-hooks have been used in most fisheries, but recent efforts have been made to promote the
use of circle hooks in more fisheries. Circle hooks have resulted in higher catch rates and reduce mortality
rates of both the discards of the targeted species and bycatch.
Most important thing to know about hook sizes
The most important thing to know about hooks is that you need to match the size of the hook to the size
of the bait you’ll be using.Not to the size of the fish you’re going after.Putting a large hook on a very
small bait will cause the bait to not look in the water which will result in scaring fish from eating. And
putting a small hook on a big bait will often result in the hook point not being able to get set in a fish’s
mouth once it eats.

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Fig. Hooks
 Line Fishing
Fishing by means of hand or long lines with baited hooks is known as line fishing. A fishing line is a
cord used or made for angling. Important parameters of a fishing line are its length, material and weight.
Principles of line fishing:
Fish are attracted by a natural/artificial bait (lure) placed on a hook fixed to the end of a line on which
they may get caught/hooked. When fish swallow the bait including the hook then after dragging the
hook it is attached with the jaw of the fish.
There are various types of line fishing in Bangladesh but we only found two types of line fishing, these
are given bellow:

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A. Hand line with wheel
This line is operated by wheel. When fish get stuck with the hook, the wheel is operated to coil
the cord. The length of the cord may be 50-60 m. Catchable species are Labeo rohita, Catla
catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Labeo calbasu, etc.
Fig. Hand line with wheel
B. Hand Line without wheel
1. Sip (usually used in game fishing):
The rod of local sip is made of still, hook are tied one end of the line. This type of line is used
in game fishing. Main caughy species are Boal (Wallago attu), Kalibaus (Labeo calbasu), Rui
(Labeo rohita) and Mrigal (Cirrhinus migala) are the main fish species caught by this
gear.Market price of this device starts from 1800 to 3000 taka.
Fig. Hand Line without wheel

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2. Sip or Barshi (usually used in rural area)
Sip or Barshi is a very simple barbed hook tied with one end of a line and the other end with a
bamboo stick. Earth warm and small prawn is used as bait. Main fish species caught by this
type of gear are Kalibaus (Labeo calbasu), Koi (Anabas testudineus), Shing (Heteropneustes
fossilis), Punti (Puntius spp.), Rita (Rita rita), Tengra (Mystus vittatus) and some carp species.
3. Tana Barshi
Tana Barshi contains one or two baited hooks having no float, is used to catch bottom water
fish where earthworms are used as bait. Baim (Mastacembelus armetus), Gaura (Clupisoma
garua), Boal (Wallago attu), Kalibaus, Shol, Taki, Gozar are the main fish species caught by
this gear.
4. Choto Barshi
Choto barshi is a type of gear which have a small stick, small thread and sigle hook. Main
caught species are Koi (Anabas testudineus), Shing (Heteropneustes fossilis), Punti (Puntius
spp.), Rita (Rita rita), Tengra (Mystus vittatus) etc.
5. Kecho Barshi
This type of barshi is having small stick. This type of barshi is quite known among the children
of rural area. Catchable species are Punti (Puntius spp.), Rita (Rita rita), Tengra (Mystus
vittatus), Kalibaus (Labeo calbasu), Rui (Labeo rohita) etc.

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Table 03: Different types of hook and line use for fishing in Noakhali
Types
of Gear
Name of Gear Person
Needed
Boat
Needed
Species Caught
Hook
and line
Sip (usually used in
game fishing)
01 No boat Boal, Kalibaus, Rui and
Mrigal
Sip or Barshi (usually
used in rural area)
01 No boat Kalibaus, Koi, Shing,
Punti, Rita (Rita rita),
Tengra (Mystus vittatus).
Tana Barshi 01 No boat Gaura (Clupisoma garua),
Boal (Wallago attu),
Kalibaus, Shol, Taki,
Gozar
Choto Barshi 01 No boat Koi (Anabas testudineus),
Shing, Punti, Rita, Tengra.
Kecho Barshi 01 No boat Punti, Rita (Rita rita),
Tengra (Mystus vittatus),
Kalibaus (Labeo calbasu),
Rui.

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 Equipment of line fishing
1. Ring Net:
Fish that are catch by line fishing are used to store by this type of net.
2. Catch Net:
Net that are used to catch fish during ling fishing.

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3. Others:
Conclusions
Noakhali is rich with fishery resources but the use of fishing gears that catch fish irrespective of their size
or species will destroy the habitat of the wild species. For that, the use of selective fishing gears which
have the capability to catch fish of distinguishing size and species will help to protect the target species
hence reduce the loss of fish biodiversity. Though the use of several types of fishing gear is limited and
regulated under the national fishery laws, but they are still used. As the operation of all types of gear
cannot be banned immediately to allow the stocked fingerlings to grow out, it is important to identify the
gear that can be operated without exploiting undersized fingerlings stocked under the government plan
and the gear that should be regulated. The main fundamental objective of responsible fishing is to
maximize economic returns to the fishermen without affecting the long-term sustainability of the fishery
resources and with minimum impact on the ecosystem. At the same time, an awareness or training program
should be conducted under the supervision of DoF (Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh) to the fishermen
to create awareness of the long-term effects of different fishing.