Question

The most dominant gear in Hooghly-Matlah estuary

• A. Trap
• B. Bag net
• C. Lampara net
• D. Drag net

Hint:

The "Behundi jal" (static bag net) is the absolute icon of estuarine capture fisheries in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta systems.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Estuarine systems have unique hydrological conditions, including strong tidal currents, fluctuating salinities, and soft mud substrates.
Traditional fishing communities design specific gears optimized for these tidal dynamics to capture migrating fish and shrimp post-larvae.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Hooghly-Matlah estuarine system in West Bengal is one of the largest and most productive estuarine networks in India.
The fishery here is highly dependent on tidal fluctuations and seasonal migrations of fishes.
The most dominant, traditional, and efficient fishing gear used in this estuary is the static bag net, locally known as the "Behundi jal".
This is a pocket-shaped, non-return bag net held in position against the strong tidal currents by anchors or wooden poles driven into the mud.
As the tide ebbs and flows, migrating fish, juvenile shrimps, and crabs are washed into the wide mouth of the net and trapped in the narrow cod-end.
Hundreds of Behundi nets are operated throughout the estuarine stretches, accounting for more than 60% to 70% of the total fish landings from the estuary.
Traps, Lampara nets, and Drag nets are used in much smaller quantities for localized catching.
Thus, the bag net is the most dominant gear.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The most dominant gear in the Hooghly-Matlah estuary is the Bag net.