Grey eel catfish (Plotosus canius) fishing by women fishers in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh

Abstract

The Sundarbans' women fishworkers play a crucial role in the delta's ecological economy by harvesting, processing, marketing, and inventing within the fishing sector. Through a case study in Koyra, a region in close proximity to the Sundarbans mangrove with a significant reliance on fisheries for local livelihoods, this study examined women's participation in small-scale fishing, particularly in grey eel catfish, Plotosus canius (locally known as Kain magur). During ‘Mora goan’ (the last phase of the full or new moon lunar cycle), a group of women, primarily widows and divorced women, fish Kain magur on daily trips or for two to three days’ expeditions in the Sundarbans waterways. To support themselves, they fish with hooks and lines using live crab bait, catching 15–20 kg of Kain magur each trip. Additionally, the sociodemographics and fishing activities of the fishworkers inhabiting Koyra Upazila were examined. The main occupations of households around Sundarbans are fishing and day labor, followed by agriculture. In fishing practices, the women and other small-scale fishworkers utilized hooks and line, followed by various fishing nets. The most popular way to catch Kain magur is using lines and hooks, which are easier for women fishworker to use. While 2% of fortunate fishworkers are able to catch more than 25 kg of fish every day, the majority of fishworkers (59%) are only able to catch 5 kg. The study's findings add to our knowledge of the gendered aspects of small-scale fishing and provide relevant data for creating management plans that are inclusive of all genders. The voices and contributions of women fishworkers within the intricate socio-ecological fabric of the Sundarbans can only be properly valued and empowered by matching practice with equitable reality. Future research should focus on how women use the Sundarbans' resources, the impact of social and economic capital, and the growth of small-scale fisheries for ecologically and socially sustainable practices.

Bangladesh J. Zool. 54(2): 151-165, 2026