Fisher's Outlook and Perception towards Fishery Resources of River Ib

Rivers harbour a wide plethora of aquatic flora and fauna and are centres of great human activities. Ib, a tributary of Mahanadi River supports many fishing communities along its bank bringing challenges of sustainable use and short-term profits versus long-term gains. People's support and compliance is very important for conservation of aquatic biodiversity. In this context, the study was undertaken to document fisher folk's perception towards biodiversity conservation and outlook towards fishery resources in five villages along Ib River. The primary occupation of majority of the respondents was fishing (79%). The respondents feel that fishery resources are not adequate to sustain livelihood now and are plagued with bleak future. Reduction in water depth of the river, siltation, usage of small meshed nets and destructive methods has worsened the situation. The fishermen want government agencies to take centre stage in resolving these issues but are willing to join them in conservation efforts. The need is for the government agencies and fishermen to work hand in hand for co-management and conservation of fishery resources of river Ib.