Water ecology studies the interactions between water, people and fish which emphasizes on Life processes, interactions and adaptations; The movement of materials and energy through living communities; The development of ecosystems; The abundance and distribution of organisms and biodiversity in the context of the environment around the world. However fisheries biologist, M Youssouf Ali had been published a book titled "Fish, Water and People: Reflections on Inland Open Water Fisheries Resources of Bangladesh" in 1997 from UPL.

This book presents water resources (rivers, floodplains, beels, estuaries); aquatic living resources, seasonal phases of aquatic habitats, water pollution (industrial effluents, domestic wastes, agrochemicals, fertilizers, consumption of contaminated food items); fish diseases, open water fish culture; jalmohal leasing system, security and conflicts in fisheries sector; management of inland open water capture fisheries.

Open water fisheries are major aquatic common property resources in Bangladesh. Fish, water and people are three of the most important ingredients in the life of Bangladesh. Harvests of capture fishery resources are carried out in the rivers, tributaries; estuaries inundated floodplains and deep depressions within the floodplains. This manuscript addresses the issues of the aquatic ecosystems of one of world's largest floodplains, their living resources and habitat.

Author clarifies the role of different components of open water system in completion of the life-cycles of the different species of fish and prawn. The rural poor and the disadvantaged people totally depend on floodplain fish production to meet their animal protein and supplement their income.

Writer mentions that the direct contamination of aquatic systems by industries is widespread and a source of considerable concern. Tannery, urea, paper and pulp, food, paining mills are releasing untreated wastes into rivers and other water bodies. Pollutants known to be discharged are mercury, lead, chromium, arsenic and iron.

Biologist M Youssouf Ali analyses that, of the fish diseases, Epizootic Ulcerative syndrome has been causing large scale fish mortality in floodplains. Infected species are -taki, shol, gazar, koi, magur and punti. The saner haor and manu haor - shallow water areas with densely rooted aquatic weeds are more affected than deeper open areas.

Conflicts over access to rich fishery resources would appear to be uncommon in the region. Management of the living aquatic resources on scientific principles is expected to sustain species diversity or aquatic biodiversity of Bangladesh. Context demands policy makers and scientists to ensure balanced sustenance of all natural resources of the country.

This reader friendly knowledge based book represents inclusive thoughts' to ameliorate the fortune of our farmers, fishermen and agricultural entrepreneurs.

Shishir Reza, Environmental Analyst and Associate Member, Bangladesh Economic Association.