Status and current worries of fish diversity in the Payra river, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

The study was conducted for a period of one year from April 2013 to March 2014 in the Payra River, Patuakhali, Bangladesh. A total of 114 fish species under 12 orders and 36 families were recorded in the River. On the basis of availability, the recorded species were categorized into four statuses and obtained as available (43.86%), less available (29.82%), rare (18.42%) and very rare (7.89%). Result of the study identified nine species as very rare which may extinct near future resulting declination of the fish diversity. Overfishing, indiscriminate fishing of larvae and juveniles, siltation and pollution were identified as the major worries linked with the declination of fish diversity. Study suggested that the activities which have harmful impact on fisheries resources need to be decreased and should be restricted to save our valuable fish diversity in the Payra River.