Causes for the loss of fish biodiversity in Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION
“Biological Diversity” means the variability among living organisms from all sources including,
inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of
which they are part. Biodiversity is the diversity of all life forms on earth. This includes the
various races and species of all microbes, plants, and animals that live on earth.
Fish biodiversity is the measure of variety of fish on earth. Bangladesh is a transitional zone of
flora and fauna,because of its geographical settings and climatic characteristics. An enormous
variety of water bodies throughout Bangladesh offering considerable variety of fish.
Bangladesh’s inlandwater bodies are known to be the habitat of 266 species of indigenous fish, 13
exotic fish, 56 prawns ,about 26 freshwater mollusks , and 150 birds. The marine water bodies
(200 nautical miles along the coast) are also remarkable for being habitat of 442species of fish.
There are at least 36 species of marine shrimps. About 336 species of mollusks, covering 151genera have been
identified from the Bay of Bengal. . In addition, several species of crabs, and 31 species of turtles
and tortoises, of which 24 live in freshwater, are found in Bangladesh (Sarker and Sarker, 1988;
and Ali, 1997). Ahmed and Ali (1996) published a species list of 168 seaweeds, 3 sponges, 15
crabs, 3 lobsters, 10 frogs, 3 crocodiles, 24 snakes, 9 dolphins and 3 species of whale found in
Bangladesh. Biodiversity has contributed in many ways to the development of human culture,
and, in turn, human communities have played a major role in shaping the diversity of nature at
the genetic, species, and ecological levels. It is a matter of great regreat that fish biodiversity of
Bangladesh is decreasing day by day due to various types of human and natural reasons.
Important biological causes of the loss of biological diversity include the loss of habitats, the
introduction of exotic species, over-harvesting of biodiversity resources, agriculture, climate
change and globalization.

As a result, valuable aquatic resources are becoming increasingly susceptible to both natural and
artificial environmental changes. Thus, conservation strategies to protect and conserve aquatic
life are necessary to maintain the balance of nature and support the availability of resources for
future generations.

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 Causes for the loss of fish biodiversity in Bangladesh

BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity or Biological Diversity a sum of all the different species of animals, plants, fungi,
and microbial organisms living on Earth and the variety of habitats in which they live. Each
species is adapted to its unique niche in the environment, from the peaks of mountains to the
depths of deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and from polar ice caps to tropical rain forests.

According to the definition of the Convention on Biological Diversity, “ Biodiversity is the

variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other
aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity
within species, between species and of ecosystems.”

AQUATIC BIODIVERSITY

Aquatic biodiversity can be defined as the variety of life and the ecosystems that make up the
freshwater, tidal, and marine regions of the world and their interactions. Aquatic biodiversity
encompasses freshwater ecosystems, including lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers, streams,
groundwater, and wetlands. It also consists of marine ecosystems, including oceans, estuaries,
salt marshes, seagrass beds, coral reefs, kelp beds, and mangrove forests. Aquatic biodiversity
includes all unique species, their habitats and interaction between them. It consists of
phytoplankton, zooplankton, aquatic plants, insects, fish, birds, mammals, and others.

FISH BIODIVERSITY

Fish biodiversity is a term used to describe the number, variety and variability of fish in a given
assemblage. Fish biodiversity therefore embraces the whole of fish on Earth.

Fish are very diverse animals. Diversified fisheries resources are available in Bangladesh,
including 260 freshwater fish species, 22 exotic fish species, 24 freshwater prawns, 475 marine
fish species and 36 marine shrimps (DoF, 2005).

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IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
Aquatic biodiversity has enormous economic and aesthetic value and is largely responsible for
maintaining and supporting overall environmental health. Humans have long depended on
aquatic resources for food, medicines, and materials as well as for recreational and commercial
purposes such as fishing and tourism. Aquatic organisms also rely upon the great diversity of
aquatic habitats and resources for food, materials, and breeding grounds.

A healthy biodiversity provides a number of natural services for everyone:

 Ecosystem services, such as

o Protection of water resources
o Soils formation and protection
o Nutrient storage and recycling
o Pollution breakdown and absorption
o Contribution to climate stability
o Maintenance of ecosystems
o Recovery from unpredictable events
 Biological resources, such as
o Food
o Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs
o Wood products
o Ornamental plants
o Breeding stocks, population reservoirs
o Future resources
o Diversity in genes, species and ecosystems
 Social benefits, such as
o Research, education and monitoring
o Recreation and tourism
o Cultural values

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 Causes for the loss of fish biodiversity in Bangladesh

CAUSES FOR THE LOSS OF FISH BIODIVERSITY IN BANGLADESH

The main cause of the loss of biodiversity can be attributed to the influence of human beings on
the world’s ecosystem, In fact human beings have deeply altered the environment, and have
modified the territory, exploiting the species directly, for example by fishing and hunting,
changing the biogeochemical cycles and transferring species from one area to another of the
Planet. The threats to biodiversity can be summarized in the following main points:

Habitat Modification and Destruction

The primary cause of loss of biodiversity is the habitat. Physical modification of habitat may lead
to species extinction. This is mainly caused due to damming, deforestation, diversion of water
for irrigation and conversion of marshy land and small water bodies for other purposes.
Construction of dams on river impedes upstream migration of fishes and displaces populations
from their normal spawning grounds and separate the popultion in two smaller groups.
Deforestation leads to catchment area degradation due to soil erosion which results into
sedimentation and siltation. This not only affect the breeding ground of aquatic organisms but
cause gill clogging of small fishes also. Habitats are now being divided into pieces of roads,
fields, towns, canals, power lines etc. Habitat fragmentation is the process where a large area of
habitat is reduced in area and divided into more pieces.

Invasive Species

After habitat destruction, the introduction of exotic or ‘alien’ invasive species is believed to be
one of the greatest global threats to native fish communities and their freshwater ecosystems.
Invasive alien species are the second greatest threat to biodiversity worldwide. Whether
introduced on purpose or accidentally, non-native species can cause severe problems in the
ecosystems they invade. Whatever the source, many of these aliens have caused problems
worldwide, including the destruction of habitat, introduction of disease and parasites, and
predation on or competition with native species of fish.

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Over Exploitation of Species

In many developing countries human population growth is driving a greater need for protein
sources and an alternative income. Freshwater fishes are often the most accessible resource.
Overexploitation (unsustainable fishing) poses a serious threat to fish and aquatic biodiversity
and also to the livelihoods of people in riverine and lake communities

Overexploitation of species affects the loss of genetic diversity and the loss in the relative
species abundance of both individual and /or groups of interacting species. The population size
gets reduced because of disturbances in age structure and sex composition. Efficient gears
remove quick growing larger individuals . consequently, the proportion of slow growing ones
increases and the average size of individuals in a population decreases. Over-fishing causes
change in the genetic structure of fish populations due to loss of some alleles. Thus, genetic
diversity gets reduced .

Pollution

The outcome of pollution on freshwaters, whether as a result of industrial, domestic or

agricultural activities, is often catastrophic and can result in the elimination of fish species, and
dead rivers and lakes. Four forms of pollutants can be distinguished-

i. Poisonous pollutants — Agrochemicals, metals , acids and phenol cause mortality, if

present in a high concentration and affect the reproductive functionality of fish (Kime,
1995).

ii. Suspended solids — it affects the respiratory processes and secration of protective
mucus making the fish susceptible to infection of various pathogens.

iii. Seewage and organic pollutants — They cause deoxygenation due to eutrophication
causing mortality in fishes.

iv. Thermal pollution — It cause increase in ambient temperature and reduce dissolved
oxygen concentration leading to death of some sensitive species.

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These factors affect the aquatic biodiversity directly or indirectly. Excessive mortality of
organisms due to any of these factors may lead to two type of effects i) extinction of the
species / populations ii) reduction of population size.

Climate Change

Climate change is generally causing the world’s waters to warm as well as bringing changes to
rainfall patterns, water levels, river flow and water chemistry. Fish cannot control their body
temperature. Therefore increasing or decreasing water temperatures will have an impact on
growth and reproduction, as will changes of flow and chemistry. Characteristic impacts on fish
include stunting, reduced numbers of offspring and even a failure to reproduce at all. Some fish
such as salmon, catfish and sturgeon cannot spawn if winter temperatures do not drop below a
crucial level. By contrast, higher temperatures will reduce oxygen levels, making waters
uninhabitable for many fishes. Unlike marine fish, which may be able to migrate to cooler
waters, freshwater fish often have no means of migrating in this way, being confined to river
catchments or lakes. Reduced water flow down rivers, as predicted in numerous regions, means
that many (often commercially valuable) species will no longer have enough water to survive or
to migrate and breed.

Globalization

Globalization itself is not directly detrimental to the environment, certain aspects of increased
transportation, particularly oceanic shipping traffic, have placed a strain on natural systems by
facilitating the immigration of species to new habitats, introducing pollutants into aquatic
ecosystems, and altering and destroying coastal habitats.

The greatest impact of globalization has been the introduction of exotic species to native
habitats. This has occurred most often through the release of ballast waters from ships. Ships
take up water in their ballast from their point of origin for stabilization as they cross the oceans
and release it when they arrive at their port of destination. This ballast water may contain many
plants and animals native to other regions of the world. Increased shipping traffic also means
increased probabilities of accidental spills of substances that pose a risk to aquatic wildlife, such
as crude oil and the increased release of fuels to aquatic ecosystems.

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Disease and Parasitism

The phenomena of disease and parasitism often weaken organisms and interfere with metabolic
function. As a result, faunal species can suffer from the ability to find food, find and attract a
mate, seek shelter, migrate, or engage in fertile outcome in the breeding process. The
deficiencies in these basic functions may lead to premature deaths of considerable numbers of
the population or in the reduced fecundity and birth rate.

Correspondingly bacterial infections, viral introductions and infection by higher level parasites
may be a contributory cause to species extinction.

Agriculture

Agriculture has a significant effect on biodiversity. Effects include habitat alteration (conversion
to farmland for crops and grazing), exotic pest introductions and pollution from pesticides and
fertilizers. Soil erosion is an agricultural problem because natural vegetation has been removed
from an area. Soil that is washed away gets deposited in waterways, destroying fragile aquatic
habitat. As water carries away soil, it can also cause the runoff of pesticides and fertilizers that
are applied in abundance to commercial crops, and of cattle and livestock wastes. Excess
nutrients that enter lakes and rivers as runoff can contribute to eutrophication of aquatic
environments, altering and degrading the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems.

Tourism

Areas that are particularly appealing to tourists are often places with high biodiversity. Impacts
of tourism includes:

 Problems of beach erosion, damage to coral reefs, destruction of mangrove resourses and
pollution of coastal waters as a result of the concentration of tourism development in
coastal areas
 Decline in the abundance of certain fishery species, for example, lobster and conch used
in hotels and restaurents
 Loss of habitat and species due to golf course development
 Destruction of coral reefs, as refuse has been dumped into the sea
 The destruction of marine life as a result of water sports activities that the tourists enjoy

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Table : Impacts on Biodiversity of Major Pressure and Associated Affects on

Ecosystem Services and Human Well being-

Potential implications for ecosystem

Pressures Impacts on biodiversity
services and human well-being

 Increased agricultural production

Habitat  Decrease in natural habitat
 Loss of water regulation
conversion  Homogenization of species
 Reliance on fewer species
composition
 Decreased fisheries
 Fragmentation of landscapes
 Decreased coastal protection
 Soil degradation
 Loss of traditional knowledge
 Loss of traditional resources
 Competition with and predation on  Loss of potentially useful species
Invasive alien native species  Losses in food production
species  Changes in ecosystem function  Increased costs for agriculture,
 Extinctions forestry, fisheries, water
 Homogenization management and human health
 Genetic contamination

 Extinctions and decreased

populations
 Decreased availability
 Alien species introduced after
 Decreased income earning
resource depletion
Overexploitation  Increased environmental risk
 Homogenization and changes
 Spread of diseases from animals
 in ecosystem functioning
to people

 Changes in resource availability

 Spread of diseases
 Extinctions
Climate change  Changes in the characteristics of
 Expansion or contraction of species
 protected areasChanges in
ranges
resilience of
 Changes in species compositions and
 Ecosystems
interactions
 Decreased resilience of service
 Decrease in productivity

 Loss of coastal protection, with

the degradation of reefs and
Pollution  Higher mortality rates
mangroves
 Nutrient loading
 Eutrophication,
 Acidification
leading to loss of fisheries

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THREATENED FISH SPECIES OF BANGLADESH

The IUCN Bangladesh (2000) has made a list of threatened to extinct fishes of Bangladesh.
These species are considered as threatened fishes of Bangladesh. The National Categories of
Threatened Animals are based on the Global Threatened Categories of IUCN. Bangladesh
National Criteria were developed on the basis of qualitative data due to the lack of quantitative
ones.The National Categories and Criteria are as follows-

Categories

Critically Endangered (CR)

A taxon is Critically Endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the
wild in Bangladesh in the immediate future (Table 1).

Endangered (EN)

A taxon is Endangered when it is not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of
extinction in the wild in Bangladesh in the near future (Table 2).

Vulnerable (VU)

A taxon is Vulnerable when it is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high
risk of extinction in the wild in Bangladesh in the medium-term future (Table 3).

Data Deficient (DD)

A taxon is Data Deficient where there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect
assessment of its risk of extinction in Bangladesh.

Not Threatened (NO)

A taxon is Not Threatened when it is out of the four above-mentioned categories. i.e. which has
no apparent threat of extinction in Bangladesh.

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Table 1: Critically Endangered fish species in Bangladesh

No. Scientific name English name Local name

1 Bagarius bagarius Gangeticgoonch Bagahair
2 Channa barca Barca snakehead Piplashol, Tilashol
3 Clupeisoma garua Garua bacha Ghaura
4 Eutropiichthys vacha Batchwa bacha Bacha
5 Labeo boga Boga labeo Bhangan, Bata
6 Labeo nandina Nandi labeo Nandina, Nandil
7 Labeo pangusia Pangusia labeo Ghora muikha, Longu
8 Pangasius pangasius Pangus Pangus
9 Puntius sarana Olive barb Sarpunti
10 Rita rita Rita Rita
11 Sisor rhabdophorus Sisor catfish Sisor
12 Tor tor Tor mahseer Mahashol

Table 2: Endangered fishes in Bangladesh

No. Scientific Name English Name Local Name
1 Badis badis Badis Napit, Kio bandi
2 Barilius bendelisis Hamilton’s barila Joia, Chedra, Koksa
3 Barilius bola Indian trout Bhol, Bol
4 Barilius vagra Vagra baril Koksa, Khoksa
5 Batasio tengana Assamese batasio Tengra
6 Bengala elanga Bengal barb Along, Sephatia
7 Botia dario Necktic Loach Rani, Bou
8 Botia lohachata Y-loach Rani, Putul, Beti
9 Chaca chaca Indian chaca Chaga, Cheka
10 Channa marulius Giant snakehead Gazar, Gajal
11 Chela laubuca Indian glass barb Laubuca, KashKhaira
12 Crossocheilus latius Gangeticlatia Kalabata
13 Dermogenys pussilus Wrestling half beak Ek thota
14 Labeo bata, Bata labeo Bata
15 Labeo calbasu Black labeo Kalibaus, Baus, Kalia

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16 Labeo gonius Kuria labeo Goni, Kurchi, Ghainna

17 Mastacembelus armatus, 2-track spinyeelBaim Salbaim, Bam
18 Microphis deocata Deocata pipefish Kumirer khil
19 Mystus seenghala Giant river catfish Guizza, Guizzaayre
20 Notopterus chitala Humped featherback Chital
21 Ompok bimaculatus Indian butter catfish Kani pabda, Pabda
22 Ompok pabda Pabdha catfish Madhu pabda, Pabda
23 Ompok pabo Pabo catfish Pabda
24 Ctenops nobilis Frail gourami Neftani
25 Rasborarasbora Gangetic Darkina,
scissortailrasbora LeuzzaDarkina
26 Rohtee cotio, Cotio Dhela Dhipali, Keti
27 Silonia silondia Silondia vacha Shilong
28 Scatophagusargus Spotted scat Bistara, Chitra

Table 3: Vulnerable fishes in Bangladesh

No
Scientific Name English Name Local Name
.
1 Ailia punctata Jamunaailia Kajuli, Baspata
Bamosh, Baobaim,
2 Anguilla bengalensis Indian longfin eel
Telkoma
3 Chanda nama Elongate glass-perchlet Chanda, Nama chanda
4 Chanda ranga Indian glassy fish Chanda, Lal chanda
5 Channa orientalis Asiatic snakehead Telotaki, Raga, Cheng
Raik, Tatkani, Bata,
6 Cirrhinus reba Reba carp
Laacho
7 Macrognathus aral One-spine spinyeel Tara baim
8 Monopterus cuchia Gangetic mud eel Kuchia
9 Mystus aor Long-whiskered catfish Ayre, Aor
Kabashi tengra, Golsha-
10 Mystus cavasius Gangetic mystus
tengra, Gulsha
11 Nandus nandus Mud perch Meni, Bheda
12 Notopterus notopterus Grey featherback Foli, Pholi
13 Plotosus canius Canine catfish-eel Gang magur
14 Puntius ticto Ticto barb 2-spot barb Tit punti

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EXOTIC FISH SPECIES IN BANGLADESH

Exotic Species

in an area or ecosystem . Exotic fish is alien species which is not naive and belonging by
nature or origin to another part of the world or brought in form abroad or foreign or strange .
Exotic fishes is species, subspecies of lower taxon occurring as a result of human agency

Invasive Species

Invasive species is an alien or exotic species which colonizes natural or semi- natural
ecosystems is an agent of change and threatens native biological diversity, is an agent of change
and the native biological diversity, which subordination the previously dominant species.These
are the agents of species and biodiversity loss in ecosystems all over the globe.

Table 4: The list of common exotic fishes were brought into Bangladesh, their origin
and year of introduction.

S.No. Common Name of species Country of origin Objectives

Name Year of introduction
1 Gurami Trichogaster Singapore (1952) To control Insect &
pectoralis Aquatic Weeds
2 Tilapia Tilapia mossambica Thailand (1954) To control insect &
remove Malaria
3 Scale carp Cyprinus carpio India(1960) For culture
var.communis
4 Grass carp Ctenopharyngodon Hongkong(1966) For culture & to
idellus Japan(1970) control aquatic weeds

5 Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys Hongkong (1969) For culture

molitrix
6 Nilotica Oreochromis Thailand(1974) For culture
nilotica
7 Thai Sarputi Puntius gonionitus Thailand(1977) For culture
8 Mirror carp Cyprinus carpio Nepal(1979) For culture
var.specularis

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9 Bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis Nepal(1981) For culture

10 Black carp Mylopharyngodon China(1983) For culture
piceus
11 African magur Clarias gariepinus For culture
12 Thai pangas Pangasius Thailand(1990) For culture
hypophthalmas
13 Sucker mouth Hypostomus Thailand(1980) Use for aquarium
cat fish plecostomus
14 Monosex Genetically Philippines(1994) For Research &
tilapia Improved farmed Culture
Tilapia
15 Monosex Cyprinus carpio Vietnam(1995) For research &
Scale carp observation under
BFRI
16 Red Tilapia Hybrid of albino Liao & Chang(1988) For research & culture
17 Milk fish Chanoschanos Philippine(1996) For culture in water
18 Gold fish Carassiusauratus Pakistan(1953) Use for aquarium

FISH BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION MEASURES

Aquatic conservation strategies support sustainable development by protecting biological
resources in ways that will preserve habitats and ecosystems. In order for biodiversity
conservation to be effective, management measures must be broad based.

 Aquatic areas that have been damaged or suffered habitat loss or degradation can be
restored. Even species populations that have suffered a decline can be targeted for
restoration .
 An aquatic bio- reserve is a defined space within a water body in which fishing is banned
or other restrictions are placed in an effort to protect plants, animals, and habitats,
ultimately conserving biodiversity. These bio-reserves are also very similar to marine
protected areas, fishery reserves, sanctuaries, and parks.

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 Bioregional management is a total ecosystem strategy, which regulates factors affecting

aquatic biodiversity by balancing conservation, economic, and social needs within an
area.

 Watershed management is an important approach towards fish diversity conservation.

 Plantation of trees in the catchment area of water body prevent soil erosion and
subsequently reduce the problem of slitation in water body resulting in better survival of
aquatic organisms.

 Avoid the establishment of industeries, chemical plants and thermal power plants near the
water resources as their discharge affect the ecology of water body resulted in loss of
biodiversity.

 The World Resources Institute documents that the designation of a particular species as
threatened or endangered has historically been the primary method of protecting the
biodiversity.

 Many specialized programs should be instituted to protect biodiversity. Regulatory

measures must be taken on wastewater discharge in the water body to conserve biological
diversity.

 Increasing public awareness is one of the most important ways to conserve aquatic
biodiversity. This can be accomplished through educational programs, incentive
programs, and volunteer monitoring programs.

CONCLUSION

Biodiversity has enormous economic and aesthetic value and is crucial for the survival and
progress of nature and humanity. Biological diversity provides resources for food, construction,
and raw materials for industry. Biological resources and biological diversity form the basis of
both the ecology and economy of Bangladesh. Human activities are causing species to disappear
at an alarming rate. Aquatic species are at a higher risk of extinction than . Losses of this
magnitude impact the entire ecosystem, depriving valuable resources used to provide food,

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medicines, and industrial materials to human beings. Biodiversity must be conserved for the
existing of living creatures. . To protect the fisheries resources sustainable management plans
need to be formulated and implemented.

REFERENCES

 Paul R. Ehrlich and Anne H. Ehrlich. 1981. Extinction: The causes and consequences of
the disappearance of species. Random House, New York, New York, USA
 Reid, G. McG., Contreras MacBeath, T. and Csatadi, K. 2013. Global challenges in
freshwater fish conservation related to public aquariums and the aquarium
industry. International Zoo Yearbook 47(1): 6-45.

 Hendrik S. and K. Martens (2005). Aquatic Biodiversity: v. 2: The Diversity of Aquatic

Ecosystems (Developments in Hydrobiology). Springer Publi.

 Kumar, U. and Asija, M. J. (2009). Biodiversity: Principle and Conservation. Agrobios

(India)
 Ormond, Rupert F. G., John D. Gage, and Martin V. A. (Editors), 1997. Marine
Biodiversity: Patterns and Processes, Cambridge University Press, New York.
 Padhi, B.K. and Mandal, R. K. (2000). Applied Fish Genetics. Fishing Chimes Publi.
 http://en.bdfish.org/2009/11/threatened-to-extinct-fishes-of-bangladesh/

 http://www.scribd.com/doc/64057181/Bangladesh-Biodiversity#scribd

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