Managing floodplain wetlands through culture-based fisheries (CBF) for livelihood security and sustainable development: a study from a biodiversity hotspot region of India

Abstract

Present study is the first attempt to assess effectiveness of supplementary stocking of the fingerlings of Indian major and minor carps on fish yield, per capita fish production and fishers? income and analysis of relationship between stocking density versus yield and yield versus water area in floodplain wetlands of North Eastern India. Data on culture-based fisheries (CBFs) including stocking details of fish fingerlings and fish production was collected and analyzed for a period of 5 years. Results indicated significant increase in mean fish yield from 234.51 kg/ha/year during 2011?2012 to 704.60 kg/ha/year during 2014?2015 (p < 0.05) postadoption of CBF management regime. Significant increase (p < 0.05) in per capita fish production from 132.00 kg/fisher/year during 2011?2012 to 255.73 kg/fisher/year, 253.22 kg/fisher/year, and 383.80 kg/fisher/year during 2012?2013, 2013?2014, and 2014?2015, respectively, benefitting 2262 fisher families depicts positive impact of CBF. Gross revenue increased from US $0.43 million in 2011?2012 to US $0.96 million, US $1.08 million, and US $1.92 million during 2012?2013, 2013?2014, and 2014?2015, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) showed significant positive correlation between stocking density and fish yield (r = 0.716; p < 0.01) and negative nonsignificant correlation (r = ? 0.106; p > 0.05) between area and yield. Physicochemical properties of floodplain wetlands in Assam (e.g., dissolved oxygen, water pH) are within optimum range for fisheries except nitrate and phosphate. Findings of this study will serve as proof of positive impact of CBF on fish yield in floodplain wetlands with special reference to North Eastern India. Further, location-specific management measures have been recommended and discussed for ensuring sustainable livelihood and food security from floodplain wetlands of the sub-tropical region.