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Climate change is a global threat to the world especially for Bangladesh, due to its geographical location. The present study was carried out to the impacts of climate change on livelihood of the fishers at the Meghna, Laukhati and Galachipa river in Bangladesh. The study was assessing the effects of climate change on fishersˊ community in the Meghna, Laukhati and Galachipa rivers near Chandpur and Patuakhali districts. The data on fishersˊ livelihood were collected by using a well-developed questionnaire from the selected areas. The average temperature was recorded as 30.5±0.90°C, 27.1±1.05°C and 27.4±0.60°C and the dissolved oxygen was as 6.37±1.11 mg/L, 5.63±0.33 mg/L and 6.33±0.51 mg/L in the Meghna, Laukhati and Galachipa rivers, respectively. The pH was as 8.3±0.59, 8.03±0.50 and 7.8±0.50 and the salinity was as 0.10±0.10, 0.23±0.13 and 1.2±0.15 ppt in the Meghna, Galachipa and Laukhati rivers, respectively. In the present study, it was found that most of the fishers were belonged to the age groups of 41 to 60 years (45%), represented by 75% muslim and joint family type (61%) was the predominant among the fishers. The highest annual income of fishers was found 20,080 and 24,000 BDT per year at Chandpur and Patuakhali districts, respectively. There has not been conducted much empirical research about the impacts of climate change in the present research areas. Therefore, Government and NGOs should take proper steps by taking various need based projects and providing some sorts of management policy to rescue the vulnerable communities from climate change impacts. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2020, 6(1): 81-92

The Patharghata Fishery Ghat in Chittagong is one of the largest fish landing centers in Bangladesh. The study aimed to explore different types of gears and crafts used from the landing center, fish species caught by the gears, and certain degree of socio-economic condition of the fishermen. Data were collected from local fishermen through on the spot inspections, Personal Interview (PI), and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The gears used from the landing center were classified as Large Mesh Drift Gill Nets (DGNs), Marine Set Bag Nets (MSBNs), and Trammel Nets. Mainly 7 types of DGNs having the mesh sizes ranging from 2.5 to 16 inches had been used by the fishermen of which Lakkha Jal, Lal jal and Char Shuta Jal were the most commonly used DGNs to catch Hilsha, Lakhua, Pomfret etc. Hilsha Shad (Tenualosa ilisha) was the most dominant species and about 60% of different nets were used to catch this species. Only single type of artisanal fishing craft (trawlers) was found in the landing center and is propelled by inboard engine. The capacity of the trawlers varied from 8 to 22 metric tons. In case of socio-economic condition, most of the fishermen belonged to the age groups of 21-30 and 31-40 years; each represented 31% of the total fishermen. About 91% of fishermen were found to be Muslim and rest 9% were Hindu. The average members of the nuclear and joint families were 3.78 and 7.83 per household, respectively; however, these groups of people were being deprived in their society. The study also revealed that about 67% of fishermen had no formal education and 27% had primary and rest 6% had secondary level of education. The annual income of the fishermen ranged from BDT 50,000 to 100,000 and the main expenditure of their earnings were for food (80%), followed by physical treatment (10%) of their family members. They had hardly any savings. Lack of knowledge and government support, and illiteracy were the major problems of the fishermen in the landing center.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2016, 2(4): 712-726