Manish talks to a gill net fisherman about the size of fish
he usually captures (Photo: JLewis, TDRF)
|
The other, potentially more troublesome issue is the
relatively new use of very small mesh size nets to capture fry (fry are very
young fish or shrimp). The fishermen that use these want to specifically capture
shrimp fry but these nets capture all fry, and do a very good job of capturing very
large amounts. So much so, that it can decimate fish populations quickly.
We are lucky because we get on the river at a perfect point in the tidal cycle to catch a number of different types of fishermen deploying their gear. I film many of them working in the background while Manish explains on camera what the fishery is, how it works and what impacts it has on fish in the area and on the dolphins.
Manish interviews locals near the river in Khulna about the
river dolphin (Photo: JLewis, TDRF) |
When we get back to Khulna we decide it would be interesting
to head to the river there and ask the local people some questions about the
dolphin. Sort of an impromptu data gathering on what people are aware of. It is
surprising to learn that in many regions where this species is found, very few
local people know there is a river dolphin in their waters. And almost no
one is aware that it is endangered.
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