Traditional fishing methods used by the fishermen in the Sundarban region, West Bengal

Abstract

In 2020-2021, 14 Blocks out of 19 Blocks in the Indian Sundarban regions studied fishing methods. According to our study, current socio-economic circumstances in Indian Sundarban regions show that their lifestyle is unsuitable for low family income. This is due to large annual disasters such as cyclones, storms, floods, and the water's salinity. A network of rivers and canals connects the Sundarban. The majority of the population is reliant on fishing activity, and in particular, the livelihood of the local people is supported by capture fisheries, which are in turn reliant on fishing activity. During the study, fishers' homes received knowledge about various crafts and equipment through monthly visits. Fishers have used indigenous fishing techniques and gear in the Indian Sundarban areas to capture fish, increasingly contributing to the local economy and overall fish output. During the research period, five different kinds of crafts and twelve different kinds of gear were found. The study reveals different indigenous fishing gears used in the locality, such as nets, traps, lines and hooks. To catch various fish of various sizes, fishers employ a variety of fishing gears, each with a distinct form and size. Most fishermen in the area collect unripe fruits velvet apple (Diospyros sp.) from the forest and boil them in large pots with sufficient water. Nets and other traps are dried in the sun after being polished with an extract. The purpose of this article is to document fishery-related technical knowledge, particularly traditional fishing techniques and gears utilised in the Indian Sundarban area.