Abstract
Bangladesh has an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Of 164 km2 and a continental shelf area Of 66 40
km2. Artisanal (small scale) fisheries extend from the coast to 40 m while industrial (commercial scale)
fisheries operate 40 m depth. The coastal fisheries of Bangladesh exploit complex multi-species
resources. At present, the marine fisheries contributes about Of the countrys total production
despite a reasonable marine and brackish water area under the EEZ. The main objective of the study was
to determine the profitability of small-scale marine fish production technologies (gear) used in marine
fishing and to measure the technical efficiency of marine fishing lx'ats. Besides, distribution and the
value chain system of marine fishes in different levels of market and efficiency of different marketing
channel are also being studied. In view of time and resource constraints, three major gears, namely
Gillnet, Setbag net and Tnngline have been selected. The study employed both primary and
data. A total of 330 samples fishermen of which from gillnet, 70 from setbag net and that of 60 from
Longline were semed. For marketing and distribution of marine fish, 168 traders (42 aratdnrs, 56 beparies
and 70 retailers) were selected in the primary, secondary and consumer market at different locations of
Bangladesh. The study had made use of several analytical techniques to address the specific objectives.
Cobb-Douglas (types of stochastic frontier production function) and translog were used to analyze
efficiency. Moreover, Composite Index Method was used to estimate the efficiency of different
channels of marine fish marketed. Results revealed that small-scale marine fishing is cost effective and
profitable in the study areas. As compared to total catch, Gillnet fishing was much higher than Sctbag net
fishing and Longline fishing, and for this reason gross revenue, gross margin and net return were also
higher for Gillnet fishing. The averages per trip net margin were Tk. 53,807 and 46,668 for
Gillnet fishing, Setbag net fi9hing and Longline fishing, respectively. Among gears Gillnet fishing boat
received the highest gross revenue and net return due to higher catches and higher prices of selected
fishes caught. As hilsa is the main species of Gillnet fishing boat, and the price of Ililsa was much higher
than the other marine species. cut was higher for higher HP engine boat and yielded higher
return compared to low HP engine boat. The empirical result showed that the estimated mean technical
efficiencies for the Gillnet, Setbag net and Longline fishing boats were 0.83, 0.82 and 0.85, respectively. It
was evident from the result that the technical efficiency was almost same for all gears. It was also
observed that marine fishing experience of head mnji, boat with higher HP engine and new boat tended
to have higher efficiency. Head majis with longer fishing experiences were technically more efficient than
head majis with shorter fishing experience. Marine fish marketing system in Bangladesh is usually
organiæd and managed by the private sector. The major stakeholders (actors) and intermediaries were
fishermen and fish producers, beparies, nratdnrs, paikers, farias, retailers and consumers who were involved
in marketing chain of marine fishes in Bangladesh. When fish moves through value chains, every
intermediary adds some extra costs with the purchase price as part of their involvement or profit.
Marketing margins were relatively higher in consumer market compared to primary market and
secondary market. Indicators of marketing performance indicate that shorter channels are more efficient
than that of longer channels. Among the marine frozen fish marketing channel in domestic market,
channel 1 and channel 3 were the more efficient. And for dry fish marketing channels, channel 5 was the
more efficient channel than that of others channels. With the growing need to meet the growing demand
for fish, small-scale artisanal fishing plays an important role. Higher HP engine with large size boat
should be encouraged for marine fishing to have better catch and higher return. Appropriate training
programs should introduced for man power development in the marine fishery sector. The use of
modern fishing boat and improved fishing technology should IN? promoted, through proper training and
motivation program for fisher. Moreover, marketing system should be developed for distribution of
marine fish to sub-urban and rural areas. Fishers should encouraged to sell their fish through shorter
marketing channel to get higher price and for these market information should be available to the
fisherman