Study of Fish Biodiversity of Nijhum Dwip, Noakhali, Bangladesh

Aims: The investigation was concerned to assess the diversity status of fish in Nijhum Dwip, Hatiya, Noakhali with its management actions.

Place and Duration of Study: Nijhum dwip declared as marine protected area is blessed with unique ecosystem with holding numerous flora and fauna species diversity. Data and fish sample were collected from February, 2019 to July 2019 for a period of five month.

Methodology: The current research was grounded on visiting fish landing center and fish market, on spot date collection, interview of the fishermen and the fish traders, sample collection and secondary data collection.

Results: In investigation, 39 species in 22 families were witnessed. The maximum numbers of fish species (8) were observed from the family Cyprinidae. From the survey, 4 species were endangered (EN), 5 species were vulnerable (VU), 2 species were near threatened (NT), 22 species were least concern (LC) categories, 6 species were not threatened (NO) which is grounded on IUCN (2015) list of threatened fishes of Bangladesh. The marine fish and freshwater fish alignment in the research region were 33% and 67% in turn.

Conclusions: The species scarcity or decline is demonstrated by the non-availability and less availability of some of the species in the adjacent area as well as in the country. The policy makers, researchers as well as local people would be able to aware with their existing biodiversity status and also significance of fish fauna of the study area by appropriate evaluation and proper documentation of fish fauna.