Bangladesh J. Fish. (2020) 32(2) : 343-356 Behavioural patterns related to the marine fish consumption- An analysis of coastal belt households, Noakhali, Bangladesh MD. JAHANGIR SARKER * , RIADUZZAMAN BHUIYAN, NUSRAT JAHAN PRIYA, NUR NAHAR, NAZMUN NAHAR RIMA AND JESMIN AKTER Department of Fisheries and Marine Science Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh *Email: mjsarker@nstu.edu.bd Abstract. Marine fish is a major source of Omega-3 fatty acids (Eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA and Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), which are now recognized worldwide as a key factor in human health. The present study was conducted to depict the status of marine fish consumption in three districts (namely Feni, Lakhsmipur, and Noakhali) of greater Noakhali district, Bangladesh using a questionnaire survey in 240 households during the month of May-June, 2018. Almost all the households (96%; n=230) consumed marine fishes. Price, availability, presence of inter-muscular bones, and characteristic fishy smell were the major barriers to marine fish consumption in the studied area. The average quantity of fresh and dried marine fish consumed was 53.35 g/capita/day and 3.71 g/capita/day, respectively in greater Noakhali. Marine fresh fish consumption in the three districts differed significantly (p<0.001). The highest (80.20±32.72 g) and the lowest (40.02±27.90 g) amount of marine fresh fish consumption were observed respectively, in Lakhsmipur and Feni district and the highest (4.19±7.47 g) and the lowest (3.47±4.87 g) amount of dried marine fish consumption were observed respectively, in Feni and Noakhali district. About 32% of consumers consumed marine fresh fish 3 to 6 times in a week whereas 46% of consumers consumed dried fish once in a month. Consumers belonging to high-income households consume more marine fish (57.11 g) than the low-income households (49.33 g). Harpadon nehereus, Tenualosa ilisha, Otolithes cuvieri, Polynemous paradiseus, Mugil cephalus, Oxyurichthys microlepis, and Sillago domina were among the most frequently consumed marine fishes in the studied areas. About 76% of respondents perceived eating marine fish was good for health. Increased availability, lower price and creating awareness on health benefits may lead to increasing marine fish consumption among local people in the region. Keywords: Marine fish, Consumption behavior, Noakhali Introduction Fish consumption has always been an essential part of daily meal of the Bangladeshi people. The enormous variety of fisheries resources of both marine and freshwater has offered rise to a strong fish consumption behavior in most region of the country (DoF 2016). Especially, marine fish serves as an important food source and an increasing consumption rate of seafood is observed in coastal regions of the world (Burger et al. 2014, NOAA 2004). A notable progress has been observed regarding fish consumption in Bangladesh. Currently, the fish consumption rate is 62.58 g/capita/day that was 49.5 g/capita/day in 2010 (BBS 2017), which denotes a positive change regarding fish consumption in Bangladesh. However, all those data were for fresh water fish consumption. Bangladesh is a country with one of the highest rates of kid and maternal deficiency disease in the world (UNICEF 2008). Nutritionist and food scientist believe that better health of people can be ensured quickly and economically through greater consumption of fish (Borgstrom 1962). Being a unique source of essential nutrients, fish can serve an important function in contribution to nutrition (FAO 2016); particularly in Bangladesh