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.