Status of Aquatic Resource and Production of Kongsha River in Northern Bangladesh

Bangladesh is very rich in aquatic biodiversity. The present study, conducted during 2016 to 2020, recorded a total number of 138 species (108 fish, 09 prawn, 01 snail, 05 crab, and 15 turtle) belonging to 22 families that identified from the Kongsha River and its flood plain. About ten types of fishing gears, different crafts, hook and line were identified operative in the river. Increasing rates of using current jal (15.00-25.80%) and Bar jal (12.00-16.00%) were identified as detrimental gears destroying different species. The productivity of aquatic life was decreased from 202.99±13.42 to 158.43±11.34 mt during 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. About 04 important aquatic species including major carp mohasseer (Tor tor), reptiles (Cyclemys oldhami, Melanocheelys trjuuga and Morenia petersi) became rare (E) and 17 commercially important aquatic species were at the edge of extinction (CR). From this exploration, 70 species were recorded in the endangered (EN) category, 21 species vulnerable (VU), 12 species lower risk (LR), 08 species least concern (LC) and 04 data deficient (DF). To save the existing aquatic species in the riverine ecosystem and ensure better livelihood of the fishes, a team of local management committee, similar to the Hilsa fisheries management technology is needed.