A joint World Bank (WB) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) review mission recently concluded that the poverty impact of the project was significant for inland open water fisheries.

Inland open water fisheries are most important for poor communities and will continue to provide major safety net to a large number of rural landless poor where fisheries are concerned.

The joint-review recommended a comprehensive action plan for resolving institutional issues of jalmohal lease --water bodies managed by community organisations- that provides secure access rights to the communities.

While noting that public sector can play a role in establishing brood banks, the review mission felt that private sector has comparative advantage and some 100 fish farms that the government now operates, can be leased out to private operators.

Fisheries contribute to 67 percent of animal protein intake, provide 13 percent of protein supplies, and has share of five percent of export earnings. About 1.2 million people are engaged full time and another 10 million part time in this sector.

Under this project, some 41,000 fishers established their access rights in 39 jalmohals. Fish production increased in these areas by 65 percent, while shrimp production increased by 15-30 percent in four coastal polders of Kushtia and Satkhira districts.

In addition, aquaculture production increased by 45 percent among two lakh trained farmers in 8000 villages of 211 upazilas. The hilsa management action plan implemented under this project also impacted positively in the production of hilsa.

The six-year old project started in December 1999 and concluded this month. Under this project, several studies were carried out to improve knowledge and awareness on aquatic bio-diversity, conservation and genetic aspects for inland open water and adapted in fisheries sector strategy.