Line Fishing Methods of the Brahmaputra Valley

An investigation was carried on the availability of different types of fish hooks and liningmethods in the Brahmaputra valley with an objective to study the respective dimensions, seasonal variation, abundance, catch, cost, the variability of gears with the targeted fish species and their mode of operation. The identified fish hooks and lineused by the fishers of Assam can be classified into 10 different types under 2 major categories based on the principle of capture, design, and operational methods. Many of these gears were selective and the hook materials have a significant influence on the gear performance. The fish catch is composed of small fishes viz., C. punctatus, Puntius spp., Anabas testudineus, Eutropiichthys vacha; mid-sized fishes viz., Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Channa maruliusand bigger sized fishes viz., Wallago attu, Rita rita, Bagarius bagarius, Chitala chitalaand Notopterus notopterus. The fishes are caught on their commercial importance in terms of food, ornamental and sports perspectives. Most of these hooks are fabricated traditionally and except the ones being importedon recreational purposesin the region.