Awareness Level of Fishers for Conservation of Indian Shad Tenualosa ilisha in Three Selected Localities Along Hooghly Estuary in West Bengal

Conservation studies in fisheries is multi disciplinary and it needs support of various experts to address the issues. Several issues in conservation and management of hilsa fisheries require both ecological and societal issues. However, the conservation of hilsa in West Bengal is a major issue for remarkable decline of its production because of anthropogenic activities. The present investigation of awareness level of fishers through a pretested questionnaire was administered to fisher population in three localities, such as, Diamond Harbour, Kakdwip and Godakhali during the period of investigation from June, 2013 to December, 2013. It contained 35 items on different aspects of hilsa fisheries, such as, the status and need of education on different aspects. It was administered before and after suitable interventions which included individual contacts, mass contacts, local news papers, posters and leaflets. The present study revealed that 76% population were of a view that hilsa catch is not at equilibrium and it is declining which needs protection (86%). It was attributed to unregulated fishing (78%), environmental factors (90%), fisheries for livelihood (98%) and anthropogenic pressure (76%). There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in awareness level on different items due to various type of interventions.