Implications of floodplain aquaculture enclosure

Bangladesh has extensive floodplain wetlands covering over 4 million ha. These remain an important source of livelihood fish contribute about 60% of national animal protein consumption, and wetland plants are used for fodder, food and construction. Over fishing, short term leasing of use rights, flood control and drainage, and pollution all have negative impacts. In contrast several projects have helped establish local community management in many of these commons, and in these areas fisheries and wetland productivity have been restored through simple measures such as sanctuaries and closed seasons. However, community organisations and poor floodplain users face a new threat in the private lands that are seasonally flooded and form a major part of Bangladesh’s freshwater wetlands: • In the last decade the area of private seasonally flooded land enclosed with bunds and fences for monsoon aquaculture grew by 30-100% a year depending on the location. This trend shows no sign of slowing. • In different regions this is organised by individual landowners, informal groups, or companies that lease in land. • These systems are productive but have high input costs, and catches of wild fish decline. • Large farmers are the main beneficiaries, by operating aquaculture, as investor share-holders, or by receiving payment for use of their land. • In all cases poorer people report that they loose. The landless loose access to natural fisheries and other aquatic resources, although some gain employment. Marginal farmers and sharecroppers loose both common aquatic resources and access to land for cultivation. The Government of Bangladesh, some donor projects and NGOs are promoting enclosure, but instead of being subsidised this private enterprise should be regulated before loss of natural floodplain fisheries and inequality become too widespread.