author(s)
Md Masum Billah, MA Kader, Abdullah Al Mamun Siddiqui, Syed Shoeb Mahmud and Md Razon Khan

abstract
The present investigation was conducted to assess the livelihood and socio-economic condition of fishermen in Bhatiary coastal area Chittagong, Bangladesh and this research work has been carried out during the period of January to June, 2009 with coordinate 22°26'20.4"N 91°43'52.7"E. A total of 100 fishermen were interviewed with a well-structured questionnaire. The survey revealed that, the age of the respondents ranged from 18 to above 60 years. The highest proportions (36%) of fish farmer were middle aged and above 60 years was the lowest (6%). There are about 96% of fishermen who had religion status as Muslim; rest of fisher had Hindu (6%) and Buddhist (2%). Up to primary level 78%, only 12% fishermen was S.S.C passed and rest 10% passed H.S.C. There are 74% male and 26% female fisher were found in this present study. It was found that, 82% family which belongs to nuclear type status and rest 18% had joint family in the present study area. This present study indicates that 80% houses were owned, while 8% were free use and only 12% were rented. In the study area houses of fishermen were of two main types as, Tin shed house (68%) and concrete house (32%). In this present study, there were 88% semi concrete toilet facilities were found among the respondent and the rest of 12% fishermen had a concrete toilet for hygiene facilities. About 54% respondent had a television set belongs to their house, 90% fisher had a portable radio, 48% fishermen had own mobile phone and the rest of people use shared one and lastly, only 36% fishermen had a CD player in their house for entertainment purpose. The main secondary occupations were found, small scale business (40%), agriculture (36%) and rickshaw pulling (24%) for their livelihood. The highest percentage (26%) fish farmers earned BDT 30,000 to 40,000 per year and the lowest percentage were, (12%) earned BDT 70,000 and above. In the study area, 67% fishermen took medical facility from village quack doctors, and the rest of 33% got from MBBS doctors. In the study area, 41% fishermen’s children got education from government and non-government institution, 59% children did not have education from any kind of institutions. It was found that 47% of the fishermen used their own money for their financial assistance, 26% received loan from the bank and 27% received loan different NGOs. Around 78% of the fishermen identified insufficient credit most important problem for any kind of initiative in the study area. Here respondents also identified that lack of weather forecast 10%, pollution (40%), insufficient communication equipment (84%) and insufficient fishing equipment (80%) as constrain.