LIFE OF THE RIVERINE FISHERMEN : PRESENT STATUS OF LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AT PAYRA RIVER , BANGLADESH

A study was conducted to find out the livelihood condition of Payra River, located at the Angaria union of Dumki upazila under the district of Patuakhali for twelve months from July, 2012 to June, 2013. In the present study, it was found that highest percentage (40%) of the fishermen is young (21 to 31 years) where about 92% of the fishermen used boat for fishing. By religion, 46% fishermen are Muslims and majority (54%) fishermen are Hindus. In terms of education, 50% had education up to primary level, 12% of fishermen in secondary level, 4% fishermen had education up to SSC level and 6% had no education. About 54% of the fishermen are dependent on upazila health complex for health facilities. Maximum housing condition of the fishermen are Earthen made (52%), 44% are Tin shed building and only 4% are fully furnished cemented building. Service and labor are the main occupation of 4% fishermen. Majority (80%) of fishermen main income source is fishing and among them 54% of the fishermen had 1 to 10 decimal homestead lands and majority (72%) of the fishermen had no agricultural land. In case of other occupation 28% fishermen are involved in agriculture as other occupation, 40% fishermen in day laborer, 8% fishermen in business and 2% fishermen in service. The average monthly income was found to be Tk. 15000 when agriculture is the main occupation. When fishing is the main occupation the monthly income is Tk. 10410. It has been observed that 54% fishermen have training on one or more than one related matter, 46% have no training. So from this study, we can conclude that the livelihood statuses of the riverine fishermen of Payra River were not satisfactory and the fishermen were deprived of many amenities.

from hand to mouth (Ali et al., 2014).Hossain et. al., 2015 stated that fishermen are traditionally poor and fishing is considered as a low-class profession in Bangladesh.
The most critically and sensitive areas for open water aquaculture in Bangladesh is south western coastal area which supplies both fresh water and salt water indigenous fishes (IUCN, 2003).Payra River is a body of running water moving to a lower level in a channel on land in the country of Bangladesh and the river finally falls into the Bay of Bengal by the name of Burishwar River (Islam et al., 2015).This river is an exclusive aquatic ecosystem with diversified species of plants, fish and other organisms and most of the catch of this river is landed by small-scale local fishermen (Islam et al., 2015).This area of the river consisting of fishery plays a very important role in the alleviation of rural poverty and supplying food to the poor fishing community (Mahmud et al., 2015).
The vast majority of the fishing communities of Bangladesh are confronting more or less similar problems that standing the way of increasing catch and hence income from fishing operations and fishermen are one of the most vulnerable communities by any standard and over the years (Hossain et al., 2013).Alam and Bashar (1995) estimated the average per capital annual income of the fishermen families to be BDT 2,442 i.e. about 70% lower than the per capital income of the country as a whole.Being an isolated community fishermen are deprived of many amenities of life.Pollnac (1991) has reported that the relationship between technology and social organization in small-scale fishing communities was regarded as providing the essential contest for the institutional system, where the poor would be helped by equipment's and new technology.For this aim, investigation of social patterns, economic system and some related aspects of the fishermen are to be found as the basic need.So, this study was conducted to evaluate the living condition of fisherman near Payra River to find out their standard of living.

METHODS OF RESEARCH
This study was conducted to find out the fisheries of Payra River, Patuakhali, Bangladesh for 12 months from July, 2012 to June, 2013.The study was based on collection of primary and secondary data.Firstly, a pretesting questionnaire was developed keeping in view the objectives of the study, then a final questionnaire was then developed in logical sequence so that the fishermen could answer chronologically.According to the experience gained in pre-testing, the final questionnaire was improved, rearranged and modified.Secondly, Primary data were collected through personal interview complemented by multiple methodological Participatory Research Approach (PRA) tools such as Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Crosscheck Interviews (CI) with key informants namely Sub-district Fisheries Officer (UFO), AFO, and relevant NGO workers for the confirmation of relevant information.FGD sessions usually were held at river bank or in a tea stall and CI of respondents were conducted in their office.After collection of data, these were edited and coded.All the collected data were summarized and scrutinized carefully and recorded.Then, finally all of the data were analyzed by using certain statistical tool in the Microsoft Excel.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Human capital.The age structure of the riverine fishermen in Payra River was examined.They are divided into five age groups: 10 to 20 years, 21 to 31 years, 32 to 42 years, 43 to 53 years and above 54 years.The fishermen in the present study are mostly 21 to 31 years (40%) and 32 to 42 years group (30%) who could afford much energy and labor in catching fish.There were no under aged fishermen found during this study.Rabbani (2007) recorded age group of 25-50 years was highest (46.67%) and more than 50 years were the lowest (25%) of the riverine fishermen in the Karatoa river, which is not similar to the present findings.
In the present study, 46% fishermen are Muslims and majority 54% fishermen are Hindus.Rabbani (2007) reported that about 86.67% and 13.33% riverine fishermen are Hindus and Muslims respectively.Mahmud (2007) stated that the highest (74%) number of  Human resource developments study, it was found that 6% fisherman 50% fishermen had education only 4% of fishermen had education of fishermen (50%) with primary community in the Payra river fishermen were illiterate, 31.67%fishermen had only secondary reported that 20% of riverine to primary level of education education.In this study, we revealed related matter, 46% have no considering all gears were not the river system of the Purnavaba A family was defined as from the same house.The family reveals that 48% of the fishermen and 4% having more than 10 largest family size (6.67 persons) No of fishermen % of fishermen community where as only 26% were from profession in an increasing number through breaking society which are due to the economic hardship sectors.
of riverine fisherman in the Payra River in the southern developments are largely a function of education.fisherman had no education, 28% were capable education up to primary level, 12% Secondary (up to 8 education up to SSC (10 class pass) level.The primary level education were a remarkable feature river system.Shahjahan (2000) reported that 31.67% had up to primary level of education secondary level of education in the Jamuna River fishermen were illiterate, 71.67% of riverine education and 8.33% riverine fishermen had only   This study found that 54% had 11 to 20 decimal, 10% decimal homestead lands for other source of family income.support family income.
It was found that 82% catching fish in part time.Most subsistence fishermen spend of fishermen spend full time and This study found that 54% while 6% and 24% got health health complex respectively.Alam   Other source of income agriculture as other occupation, remained 10% in other occupation.from fishing, majority of fishermen their family demands.under the district Rangpur got the opportunities for health complex while the rest 58% was dependent boat to catch fish, but 8% of fishermen operated boat.Most of the professional fishermen use boat catch fish without boat.Jewel (2006) observed 20% of fishermen caught fish without boat.
found that majority (80%) of fishermen's main are the main occupation of 4% fishermen.Only business.Rabbani (2007)  When agriculture, service, labor and business were the main occupation the average monthly income were Tk.15000, 11500, 9250 and 10000 respectively.Hossain (2007) reported that the highest monthly average income was found in the seine net fishermen group and the lowest monthly average income was found in the push net fishermen group in the Mokesh beel, Gazipur.
Facilities received.This study revealed that most of the fishermen (about 90%) receive government facilities.Only 10% of fishermen receive NGOs facilities.Hossain (2012) observed that 60% of fishermen received government facilities, 40% of received NGO's facilities.

CONCLUSION
Livelihood statuses of the riverine fishermen of Payra River were not satisfactory.The fishermen were deprived of many facilities.The education level was so poor and the affordability of education among fisherman is almost zero.So, NGO can play a vital role in here to support their education.Though, the Government is taking some important step by providing some sorts of extra providence during the ban season of the fishing but still this area needs more support to create a sustainable development of the fisherman.Moreover, health facilities must be improved in this area by the help of both NGO's and government.However, more innovative and extensive research are required to prepare better data-base information on biodiversity and fisheries with abundance problems aiming to develop practical rules and regulations.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
Authors clearly declare that they have no competing interests.
MuslimMuslim is coming to this profession norms and value of the society employment scope in other sectors.

Figure 1 -
Figure 1 -Age distribution of

Figure 7 -FigureFigure 9
Figure 7 -Fishermen fishermen had 1 to 10 decimal homestead had 21 to 30 decimal and only 2% fishermen living.Homestead areas are important key income.Women or children rear chicken, duck, got, of fishermen spend all time for fishing, but Most of the professional fishermen spend full time part time for catching fish.Rabbani (2007) and 30% of fishermen catching fish in part-time.

Fishermen
spend time for fishing in the Payra River types of housing conditions were observed the fishermen had kacha houses which reflect the fishing community.Rabbani (2007) revealed kacha, 15% were half semi-pucca and 8.33% were kacha housing structure of farmers in Mymensingh ure 8 -Housing condition of riverine fishermen Health service used by the riverine fishermen of Payra 54% of fishermen were dependent on upazila service from the village doctor and both villageAlam (2006) found in his study that only 42%
Other sources of income of the riverine fishermen income.It was found that most of the fishermen fishing is the main occupation, the average monthly Average monthly income of the riverine fishermen