This study is an attempt to analyze the socio-economic condition of leaseholder, to study the nature of leasing system of water bodies, to examine the existing marketing system, to estimate costs, margins and profit of the fish traders and to identify the problems encountered by fishermen and traders and to suggest possible measures to those problems. Through stratified random sampling, data were collected from 35 fishermen, 45 Paikers, and 30 retailers. Data were also purposively collected from 8 leaseholders and 17 Aratdars. The study identified the leasing system as defective. Actual fishermen were being deprived by the actual leaseholders, who were the local prominent persons. The study also found that in Madan, major portion of fish of fishermen was sold to local Aratdar-cum-wholesalers; leaseholders sold fishes to local Paikers and the local Paikers sold to Aratdar-cumwholesalers and retailers. The local Aratdar-cum-wholesalers transported fishes to distant Arat centers. It was found that most of the fishermen and fish traders were doing business with their own capital. Marketing cost of fishermen was calculated at Tk.198.00 per 100 kg. Among the traders in Madan, marketing cost was the highest for Aratdar-cum-wholesalers whereas in Mymensingh and Dhaka the highest marketing costs were incurred for Paikers and Aratdars respectively. In all places the fish retailers earned the highest margin for different fishes. Some problems and constraints were identified and possible steps have been suggested for gradual removal of the constraints with the help of local administration and through active participation of fishermen by forming fishermen's co-operatives.
