Heavy Metal Pollution Reduced the Potentiality of Pen Culture in the Wetland Aquaculture in an Urban Area of Bangladesh

The Belai beel serves as an important aquatic resource for the livelihood of the local community of the Gazipur district in Bangladesh. However, water pollution in recent times, mainly from industrial wastes and sewage effluents, may disrupt its aquatic environment. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to assess the potential area of pen fish culture in the Belai beel. The study was performed in the Rajbagan (L1), Kamaria (L2) and Rewla (L3) areas of the Belai beel. Grass carp, silver carp, common carp, catla and rui of 20–30 cm in size were stocked at a rate of 15,000 fish/ha and reared for 150 days in pens installed in the L1, L2 and L3 areas, respectively. The fishes were fed with mustard oil cake and rice bran. Maximum fish production was found in Rewla (12.97 ton/ha/150 days) compared to Rajbagan (8.85 ton/ha/150 days) and Kamaria (10.67 ton/ha/150 days) due to it having comparatively good quality water. There were significant differences in metal ion concentrations (p < 0.05) among the three fish pens. In the Rajbagan area, concentrations of Cd and Cu in the water coming from the industrial effluent canal exceeded the acceptable limit. Results indicated that the Rewla area was better than Rajbagan and Kamaria due to it having relatively good quality water for pen fish culture.


Introduction
Bangladesh is considered among the foremost appropriate regions for having one of the most productive and dynamic fisheries sectors in the world, with immense wetland resources [1]. The wetland resources play a vital role by ensuring food, income and employment opportunities [2]. The vast fishery resources in Bangladesh are categorized into two subsectors: inland (culture and capture) and marine fisheries. The inland capture fisheries include 853,863 ha of river and estuary, 177,700 ha of Sundarbans, 114,161 ha of beel, 68,800 ha of Kaptai Lake and 2,695,529 ha of floodplain (hoar). The productivity of the beel fisheries is 875 kg/ha [3]. Therefore, inland capture fisheries are the prime source of total fish production, food security, employment opportunities and foreign earnings, but their contribution to national fish production has declined from 36.42% in 2001-2002 to 28.19% in 2018-2019 [3]. As a result, fish consumption from capture fisheries has declined [4]. As a consequence, there is no alternative way to increase the fish production of inland culture fisheries.
Pen culture is the new approach to fish culture in inland open waterbodies, which involves the raising of fish in a volume of water enclosed on all sides except the bottom and shows better growth and survival rates [5]. Its productivity is 22 kg/cubic meter and it contributed 0.24% and 0.28% to the total fish production in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, respectively [2]. The method has the advantage of increasing the fish production of inland capture fisheries because the productivity per hectare of water area of inland waterbodies has not been attained at its optimum in Bangladesh yet. Due to the overgrowing population with increasing demand on land for residential, industrial and urban development, it is difficult to obtain land for the construction of ponds for raising fish seed and fish. In rural areas in developing countries, especially in Asia and South America, fish production has increased through the pen culture technique, and it acts as an important technique in the context of culture-based fisheries [6]. Through pen culture, culture-based fisheries also have added advantages over traditional forms of aquaculture due to it being less resource intensive, a high fish fry survivability rate, high fish production and profitability [7].
In Bangladesh, pen culture was practiced in a low-lying monsoon-flooded land covering an area of about 10 hectares in the Khilkhet area, Dhaka for seven months in 1999 [8]. In 2009-2010, a pen culture exhibition, held under the district fisheries development project [9], showed the inclusion of landowners and local people. The pen culture of fish provides facilities for the proper utilization of water space, keeps fish safe from predation, cultures various fish species, high fish production and allows for ease of harvest [10,11].
The Belai beel, situated in the Gazipur district, serves as an important source of small native fishes and aquatic fauna and is suitable for culture-based fishery development through pen culture due to it having many triangle-shaped fringes. This beel has free connection with the Shitalakhya River and Turag River. It carries floodwater from the Shitalakhya River and Turag River during the flood season. In recent years, urbanization and industrialization activities near the bank of the Turag River have created an industrial pollution problem in the water due to the majority of industries discharging their effluents directly or indirectly into the Turag River without any treatment, causing pollution of the water [12][13][14]. This complex mixture of organic and inorganic hazardous chemicals entering into the Belai beel deteriorates not only the water quality but also the sediment of this beel and makes its water unsuitable for recreation, agriculture and aquaculture. In recent years, anthropogenic activities have become major problems for wetland fish production, as they contain different metallic ions that are harmful for aquatic ecosystems [15]. Information with respect to the pen fish culture in beels is limited, though most of the information on fish species diversity and the livelihood status of beel fisheries is available in Bangladesh and around the world [10,[15][16][17]. However, the culture of fish in the pen system considering metallic ion concentrations in the water has not been documented. For this reason, three locations were selected (very close to and far away from industrial effluent canals). Hence, the present study was undertaken to identify the proper location for pen fish farming, based on the water quality and metallic ions in the water, and compare the fish production and economic returns of the pen fish farmers of the Belai beel, Bangladesh.

Prestocking Management
Bamboo poles, bamboo slats, nylon ropes and mosquito nets were used for construction of a fish pen. Pens were constructed by joining together several bamboo banas ( Figure  2). A bana is prepared using bamboo splits and joined together with nylon ropes. The size of each bana (approximately 2 m in height and 2.5 m in length) varied from pen to pen. Several banas were joined together to form pen frame on each side. The structural framework was prepared using 2.5 m long bamboo poles (fixed in the bottom mud vertically along the guide rope at 1 m intervals) with upper and middle bamboo bracing. The whole frame was supported on each side by long bamboo poles having gap of 25 m between two pens. The longevity of these types of pen frames varied from 1-1.5 years. The size of each bana varied from pen to pen. Cow dung and lime were applied at a rate of 2500 kg ha −1 yr −1 and 250 kg ha −1 yr −1 , respectively, to accelerate plankton production and maintain good water quality condition in pen farming.

Stocking and Post Stocking Management
The species of fish such as grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), catla (Catla catla) and rui (Labeo Rajbagan was connected to the industrial effluent canal (IEC), whereas Kamaria was one km away from the IEC, and Rewla was three km away from the IEC. This work was carried out for 150 days from June to October 2018.

Prestocking Management
Bamboo poles, bamboo slats, nylon ropes and mosquito nets were used for construction of a fish pen. Pens were constructed by joining together several bamboo banas ( Figure 2). A bana is prepared using bamboo splits and joined together with nylon ropes. The size of each bana (approximately 2 m in height and 2.5 m in length) varied from pen to pen. Several banas were joined together to form pen frame on each side. The structural framework was prepared using 2.5 m long bamboo poles (fixed in the bottom mud vertically along the guide rope at 1 m intervals) with upper and middle bamboo bracing. The whole frame was supported on each side by long bamboo poles having gap of 25 m between two pens. The longevity of these types of pen frames varied from 1-1.5 years. The size of each bana varied from pen to pen. Cow dung and lime were applied at a rate of 2500 kg ha −1 yr −1 and 250 kg ha −1 yr −1 , respectively, to accelerate plankton production and maintain good water quality condition in pen farming. Rajbagan was connected to the industrial effluent canal (IEC), whereas Kamaria was one km away from the IEC, and Rewla was three km away from the IEC. This work was carried out for 150 days from June to October 2018.

Prestocking Management
Bamboo poles, bamboo slats, nylon ropes and mosquito nets were used for construction of a fish pen. Pens were constructed by joining together several bamboo banas ( Figure  2). A bana is prepared using bamboo splits and joined together with nylon ropes. The size of each bana (approximately 2 m in height and 2.5 m in length) varied from pen to pen. Several banas were joined together to form pen frame on each side. The structural framework was prepared using 2.5 m long bamboo poles (fixed in the bottom mud vertically along the guide rope at 1 m intervals) with upper and middle bamboo bracing. The whole frame was supported on each side by long bamboo poles having gap of 25 m between two pens. The longevity of these types of pen frames varied from 1-1.5 years. The size of each bana varied from pen to pen. Cow dung and lime were applied at a rate of 2500 kg ha −1 yr −1 and 250 kg ha −1 yr −1 , respectively, to accelerate plankton production and maintain good water quality condition in pen farming.

Stocking and Post Stocking Management
The species of fish such as grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), catla (Catla catla) and rui (Labeo rohita) of 20-30 cm in length were stocked at a rate of 15,000 fish/ha. Stock distribution of grass carp, silver carp, common carp, catla and rui was 31%, 28%, 19%, 11% and 11%, respectively. Fish were fed with mustard oil cake and rice bran at a rate of 600 kg ha −1 yr −1 and 369 kg ha −1 yr −1 , respectively, in the morning. Feeding was carried out by hand-feeding method. Wooden boat was used for distribution of feed in fish pen. The water quality parameters were measured monthly. Water samples were collected at selected depths (0-0.5 m, euphotic layer) using a 1.5 L water sampler (Wildco instruments, Wildlife supply company, Gene Lasserre Blvd., Yulee, FL 32097, USA). Water quality parameters such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH were measured by using portable digital meter (HQ30d, HACH), DO meter (HQ30d, HACH) and pH meter (sensION+EC72), respectively. Nitrite, nitrate, ammonia and phosphate were determined [18] by spectrophotometer (HACH, DR-6000, Loveland, CO 80539 (USA), Made in Germany, S/N: 1824775) in the Coastal and Marine Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Fisheries Management, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU). Nitrite was analyzed by USEPA diazotization method, ammonia by USEPA Nessler method and phosphate by USEPA ascorbic acid method. One liter of water samples was filtered through a Whatman GF/F (0.45 µ) filter paper, and then a drop of HNO 3 (65%) was added to make their pH < 2 for preservation. After that, the amount of water samples used in the determination of nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and phosphate contents was 25 mL, 20 mL, 25 mL and 20 mL, respectively. Additionally, 10 mL water samples were used to determine the metallic ions in water. Metal ion concentration was determined by NexION 1000 inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA) in the Department of Agroforestry and Environment Laboratory, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Bangladesh.
Phytoplankton samples were collected by trawling 25 µm mesh size plankton net horizontally. The crude samples were transferred into 150 mL black colored plastic bottle and preserved using Lugol's solution. Samples were stored in the dark and under refrigeration. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytoplankton samples were performed under a phase-contrast microscope (Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH, Primo Star, Axiocam, Germany) to enumerate the count up to lowest taxonomic rank [19]. Phytoplankton taxa were identified following [20]. Sedgwick-Rafter chamber was used for counting plankton cells. The phytoplankton per liter of original water was estimated applying the following formula [19].

Estimation of Fish Growth and Production
Monthly growth measurements of fish species were carried out by randomly sampling at least 15% of species. The weight was measured by portable balance. The following formulae were used to evaluate the production of stocked fishes: Gross weight (kg) = Number of fingerlings × average final weight (kg) Gross production (ton/ha/150 days) = Gross weight (kg) ÷ 1000.

Economic Analysis
A simple economic analysis was conducted to compare net returns of pen culture practices in the three different locations.

Statistical Analysis
Data were analyzed by R package (version 4.0.3) [21] and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 18.00. The Kruskal-Wallis test was employed to determine the significant difference of physico-chemical parameters among locations ( Figure 3). Differences were considered significant at p level of <0.05.

Water Quality
For raising fish in a pen, water quality parameters are an important consideration. Water quality parameters are the most important factors that directly influence the aquatic production of safe food. Suitable water quality parameters are a pre-requisite for a sound aquatic environment. The variations in physico-chemical parameters of water at different locations of the Belai beel during the study period are presented in Figure 4. The recorded water temperature ranged from 31 to 33.2 °C, 27.6 to 32.9 °C and 28.4 to 32 °C in L1, L2 and L3, respectively.

Water Quality
For raising fish in a pen, water quality parameters are an important consideration. Water quality parameters are the most important factors that directly influence the aquatic production of safe food. Suitable water quality parameters are a pre-requisite for a sound aquatic environment. The variations in physico-chemical parameters of water at different locations of the Belai beel during the study period are presented in Figure 4. The recorded water temperature ranged from 31 to 33.2 • C, 27.6 to 32.9 • C and 28.4 to 32 • C in L1, L2 and L3, respectively. The observed DO levels were 4.80 ± 0.49 mg L −1 , 5.94 ± 0.33 mg L −1 and 7.81 ± 0.19 mg L −1 in L1, L2 and L3, respectively. The observed pH levels in L1 (6.48 ± 0.06), L2 (7.14 ± 0.09) and L3 (7.83 ± 0.09) were within the acceptable limit for sustaining aquatic life. The recorded ammonia levels were 0.096 ± 0.015 mg L −1 , 0.080 ± 0.014 mg L −1 and 0.064 ± 0.009 mg L −1 in L1, L2 and L3, respectively. In the present study, the nitrite level of the water in the fish pens in the different locations ranged between 0.001 and 0.018 mg L −1 . The The observed DO levels were 4.80 ± 0.49 mg L −1 , 5.94 ± 0.33 mg L −1 and 7.81 ± 0.19 mg L −1 in L1, L2 and L3, respectively. The observed pH levels in L1 (6.48 ± 0.06), L2 (7.14 ± 0.09) and L3 (7.83 ± 0.09) were within the acceptable limit for sustaining aquatic life. The recorded ammonia levels were 0.096 ± 0.015 mg L −1 , 0.080 ± 0.014 mg L −1 and 0.064 ± 0.009 mg L −1 in L1, L2 and L3, respectively. In the present study, the nitrite level of the water in the fish pens in the different locations ranged between 0.001 and 0.018 mg L −1 . The monthly variation of nitrate in the pens ranged from 0.028 to 0.091 mg L −1 . The phosphate level of the water ranged between 0.75 and 2.17 mg L −1 among the three locations of the Belai beel. There were significant differences in water quality parameters, except temperature (p < 0.05), among locations L1, L2 and L3 (Table 1).

Concentration of Metal Ions
Comparatively higher and lower concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) were observed in locations L1 and L3, respectively. The concentrations were found to increase in the sequence of Cd > Cu > Fe > Zn > Cr, Cd > Cu > Fe > Zn > Cr and Cd > Cu > Fe >Zn> Cr in locations L3, L2 and L1, respectively. The measured concentrations of the elements (ppb) in the water among the three locations in the Belai beel are presented in Figure 6.

Concentration of Metal Ions
Comparatively higher and lower concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) were observed in locations L1 and L3, respectively. The concentrations were found to increase in the sequence of Cd > Cu > Fe > Zn > Cr, Cd > Cu > Fe > Zn > Cr and Cd > Cu > Fe >Zn> Cr in locations L3, L2 and L1, respectively. The measured concentrations of the elements (ppb) in the water among the three locations in the Belai beel are presented in Figure 6.

Growth and Production of Stocked Fish
The monthly variations of the average weight (g) of grass carp, silver carp, common carp, rui and catla in the different locations during the experimental period are presented in Figure 7. The initial mean weights of grass carp, silver carp, common carp, rui and catla were 219.3 g, 147.5 g, 189 g, 79 g and 139 g, respectively.

Growth and Production of Stocked Fish
The monthly variations of the average weight (g) of grass carp, silver carp, common carp, rui and catla in the different locations during the experimental period are presented in Figure 7. The initial mean weights of grass carp, silver carp, common carp, rui and catla were 219.3 g, 147.5 g, 189 g, 79 g and 139 g, respectively. The highest growth was recorded in L3, and the lowest growth was recorded in L1. Grass carp reached an average weight of 1518 g in L1, 1653 g in L2 and 1857 g in L3. The harvesting weight of silver carp was varied; the highest weight gain (1168 g) and the lowest weight gain (881 g) were observed in L3 and L1, respectively. Common carp reached an average weight of 1050 g, 1250 g and 1458 g in L1, L2 and L3, respectively. Catla reached an average weight of 780 g in location L1, 885 g in L2 and 1037 g in L3. The final weights of rui were 419 g, 493 g and 573 g at the different locations. The highest yield of silver carp, 3.11 ton/ha/150 days, was found in location L3, and the lowest yield was in L1 (2.05 ton/ha/150 days). The highest yield of rui, 0.58 ton/ha/150 days, was observed in location L3. The gross production of fish species was 8.85 ton/ha/150 days in location L1, followed by 10.67 ton/ha/150 days in location L2 and 12.97 ton/ha/150 days in location L3 (Table 3).

Net Return
Variable costs are expenses that are actually paid and vary with the quantity of fish produced, such as fingerlings, feed, labor and transportation costs. Fixed costs are independent of the operation, such as the depreciation of pens, equipment and land use. Both were the major cost components. The total costs were BDT 2,85,245.00, 2,85,300.00 and 2,85,350.00 ha −1 150 days −1 in locations L1, L2 and L3, respectively. The total income was The highest growth was recorded in L3, and the lowest growth was recorded in L1. Grass carp reached an average weight of 1518 g in L1, 1653 g in L2 and 1857 g in L3. The harvesting weight of silver carp was varied; the highest weight gain (1168 g) and the lowest weight gain (881 g) were observed in L3 and L1, respectively. Common carp reached an average weight of 1050 g, 1250 g and 1458 g in L1, L2 and L3, respectively. Catla reached an average weight of 780 g in location L1, 885 g in L2 and 1037 g in L3. The final weights of rui were 419 g, 493 g and 573 g at the different locations. The highest yield of silver carp, 3.11 ton/ha/150 days, was found in location L3, and the lowest yield was in L1 (2.05 ton/ha/150 days). The highest yield of rui, 0.58 ton/ha/150 days, was observed in location L3. The gross production of fish species was 8.85 ton/ha/150 days in location L1, followed by 10.67 ton/ha/150 days in location L2 and 12.97 ton/ha/150 days in location L3 (Table 3).

Net Return
Variable costs are expenses that are actually paid and vary with the quantity of fish produced, such as fingerlings, feed, labor and transportation costs. Fixed costs are independent of the operation, such as the depreciation of pens, equipment and land use. Both were the major cost components. The total costs were BDT 285,245.00, 285,300.00 and 285,350.00 ha −1 150 days −1 in locations L1, L2 and L3, respectively. The total income was BDT 409,759.00, 452,759.00 and 482,759.00 ha −1 150 days −1 in locations L1, L2 and L3, respectively. The highest net return (BDT 197,409.00 ha −1 150 days −1 ) and the lowest net return (BDT 124,514.00 ha −1 150 days −1 ) were obtained from Rewla and Rajbagan, respectively (Table 2).

Discussion
Except for temperature, there was significant variance (p < 0.05) in the water quality parameters among three locations of the Belai beel. The water temperature, which ranged from 27.6 to 33.2 • C, was suitable for fish farming in a pen. The water temperature ranged from 25 to 27 • C under a pen culture in the Chatol beel floodplain [10]. The observed DO (4.5 ± 0.39 mg L −1 ) level in L1 was not optimal for supporting good fish production and caused slow growth of the fish due to stress. This reduction may be due to the high discharge of industrial effluents and sewage from the connected canal. Fish can survive when DO is less than 5 but grow slowly according to [23]. Always maintain a DO level above 5 ppm for the proper growth of fish [24]. A pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.5 is ideal for biological productivity, as fishes can become stressed in water that is not suitable for fishes, such as water with a low pH value ranging from 4.0 to 6.5 and a high value from 9.0 to 11.0 [25]. The results of this study show consistency with the previous study, except for Rajbagan. Fish showed a slow growth rate in Rajbagan, where the pH level was 6.48 ± 0.06. Applying lime in a fish pond maintains the optimal pH level, prevents fish diseases, increases the DO level and transparency in the water and decreases the amount of toxic gases from water [26]. In addition, cow dung also accelerates the growth of the primary food organisms in the water [27]. However, the use of excessive amounts of organic fertilizers can cause oxygen depletion, fish death and the use of raw cow dung creates harmful bacteria in the water [28]. The optimal concentration of ammonia for aquatic organisms is 0.1 mg L −1 according to [29,30]. The ammonia at each sampling time was found within a suitable range for fish production. The recorded nitrite, nitrate and phosphate were within the optimal range suitable for fish culture [29,31]. Concentrations of phosphate are ascribed to the discharge of municipal wastewater from houses into the Belai beel, in addition to the inflow of nitrogen fertilizer. The highest quantity of phytoplankton was obtained in location L3 (48.57 × 10 3 cells L −1 ) and the lowest was obtained in L1 (30.18 × 10 3 cells L −1 ). The availability of phytoplankton was lower in Rajbagan due to the introduction of waste effluent from the surrounding canal to the pen, which deteriorated the water quality and hampered sunlight penetration into the water body.
Among the three locations, higher concentrations of metal ions were found in Rajbagan and lower in Rewla (L3). In Rajbagan, the concentration of Cu in the water exceeded the standard limit. Among the elements, the concentration of Cd was higher, and the concentration of Zinc (Zn) was lower in the water. In our study, the higher concentrations of Cd in the water of the Belai beel might be due to the activities of mining, use of phosphate fertilizers, metal refining, burning of fossil fuel in several industries and waste being released into the water without proper treatment. In addition, the use of fertilizer containing cadmium, agricultural chemicals, pesticides and sewage sludge in farmland is also responsible for the contamination of water in the Belai beel. Cd causes several human diseases such as proteinuria, glucosuria, osteomalacia, aminoaciduria, emphysema [32]. In the Belai beel, the concentration of metallic ions in the water indicates that the input of pollutants comes from the various sources (industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, domestic and municipal sewage). The results of this study indicate industrial pollutants (discharge of industrial effluent, discharge of municipal wastewater and sewage, population explosion, disposal of solid and domestic waste, sewage and industrial waste) contribute to the contamination of the water quality in the Belai beel and alter its water quality. The threshold values for Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd and Cr in the water are listed in Table 3 [22].
Certain metal ions such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) are necessary for the metabolic activities of the animals, but their exceeding limits can also be detrimental to health [33]. Bioaccumulation and oxidative stress are affected by metal ions in the water. Bioaccumulation is the process by which toxic substances accumulate in all the vital organs a fish's body, mainly the liver, kidneys and gills [33,34].
The accumulation of metal ions in fish can cause structural damage and physiological changes in the fish's body. Aquatic animals such as fishes cannot avoid the side effects of metal ions. The imbalanced conditions between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses of the fishes are responsible for oxidative stresses in fish. An increase in the level of ROS can cause the breakdown of lipids, proteins and changes in gene expression, and heavy metals can produce free radicals [35]. All fish species showed better growth in Rewla than other locations, and the lowest growth rate was observed in Rajbagan. This might be due to the introduction of waste effluent from the surrounding canals, which deteriorates the water quality. The gross production of fish was higher in Rewla than Rajbagan and Kamaria. The growth of fish was faster in Rewla, and the area being located three km away from the industrial effluents canal ensured a good environment for the fish to have an optimal level of DO, pH and a higher abundance of phytoplankton. On the other hand, the growth of fish was significantly lower in Rajbagan, which was connected to the industrial effluents canal and as a result a higher amount of heavy metal entered into the pen after passing through canal. Both the total income and net return were higher in location L3 than the other locations, L2 and L1, due to the highest production of fish being in L3. The Belai beel is a potential aquatic resource in Gazipur and many local people depend on this beel directly or indirectly for their livelihood. Among the three locations, Rewla was ideal, but the Rajbagan area was being polluted. In the Rajabagan area, fish survive but showed slow growth and heavy metals may deposit in the fish's bodies. So, the heavy metal concentrations in fish bodies should be determined in the future to better understand how good the fish are for human consumption. Based on the current research, the authors suggest new measures for conserving fish diversity by minimizing the threats to these Belai beel wetlands. The reduction or minimization of the impacts of industrial activities [17,36], minimizing the uses of harmful insecticides and pesticides in agricultural crops, the proper application of fishing laws, education of fishermen communities [37] and raising public awareness can be effective for the conservation of existing fishery resources, and national strategies are being formulated for policymaking, monitoring and implementation in the Belai beel wetlands of Bangladesh [17,[38][39][40]. Determining the appropriate strategies with updated status information is also essential for conservation management and such data would help to focus the overall status of freshwater fish in the Belai beel, Bangladesh [40]. Due to a lack of funding, the current study contains several minor drawbacks, especially regarding the collection of sediment and fish samples to determine the metal ions in the Belai beel. Therefore, a more in-depth study is required in the future for more specific information in order to develop better management strategies for the Belai beel wetlands in Bangladesh. Additionally, the nutrients that come from cow dung are possibly not being properly utilized, as it is an open water system, and these nutrients may be dispersing throughout the water body (within or around the pen). Furthermore, if the fishes are grown in a polluted environment, especially an area contaminated by metal ions, there is chance of human health risk during consumption.

Conclusions
Optimal fish production is totally dependent on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water. Findings have revealed that the proper utilization of seasonal wetlands as pens for fish farming provides financial and employment opportunities for fishermen. The water quality parameters of Rewla were within suitable ranges for fish pen culture during the whole study period. The observed DO level in Rajbagan was not optimal to support good fish production. However, among the three locations, higher concentrations of metallic ions were found in Rajbagan and lower in Rewla. The growth of fishes was faster in Rewla, which was located 3 km away from the IEC, and the growth of fish was lower in Rajbagan, which was connected to the IEC. From the economic estimation, it was found that the highest and the lowest net return were obtained from Rewla and Rajbagan pen fish farming, respectively. The highest net return was obtained from Rewla pen fish farming due to it having the highest production of fish as a result of good water quality. Finally, this study showed that Rewla is more suitable for pen fish culture compared with Rajbagan and Kamaria. This study represents the first reference report on pen fish farming, determination of water quality and metallic ions of the water of the Belai beel. Further studies should be carried out to determine the metallic ion concentrations of the fish and sediments of the Belai beel to better understand the features of the Belai beel ecosystem. These findings might be helpful for policymaking decisions for the sustainable management of the wetland resources of Bangladesh.

Data Availability Statement:
The datasets used and analyzed during the current study will be provided on request to the corresponding author.