Fishermen's willingness to accept compensation for conservation of Hilsha (Tenualosa ilisha) fish: Evidences from Bangladesh

Abstract

Hilsha fish (Tenualosa ilisha) is one of Bangladesh's biggest economic and nutritious fish. Governments and planners are contemplating rewarding fishermen who conserve this precious resource. The government is economically helping fishermen to limit fishing Hilsha for 2 months in order to promote it from immature (Jatka) to mature Hilsha. No study has predicted the amount of economic incentive for fishermen in Bangladesh. This study estimates fishermen's willingness to accept (WTA) conserving Hilsha fishes and the associated problems that they encounter during the banning period. To achieve these goals, 255 fishermen from Chandpur were randomly sampled for collecting cross-section data. This study uses a dichotomous contingent valuation using a logit model for WTA decision factors and problem facing index (PFI) to assess fishermen's hardships during the banning period. Findings reveal that WTA decisions are influenced by bidding amount, household distance from the nearest market, fishermen's educational status, previous awareness of Hilsha conservation, credit access, household size, training received, and fishing experience. The PFI shows that respondents' main issues during the fish-catching prohibition are the lack of nutritional food, alternative jobs, clothing, credit, and livelihood capital. The mean per month WTA is found to be BDT 13,372, which should be implemented to minimize trade-offs during banning and sustain Hilsha resources with support to and from fishermen. Policies such as technical training for alternative earning occupations, increased credit with low prerequisites, effective family planning, and Hilsha conservation awareness might help improve the livelihoods of the fishing community and sustain this valuable resource.