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BLUE ECONOMY FOR BANGLADESH
Concept of blue economy:
The concept of blue economy is still at an evolving stage where there is yet to be any
comprehensive definition which would be appropriate from the operational point of view.
The Blue Economy conceptualizes oceans and seas as “Development Spaces” where spatial
planning integrates conservation, sustainable use of living resources, oil and mineral wealth
extracting, bio-prospecting, sustainable energy production and marine transport.
Gunter Pauli’s book, “The Blue Economy: 10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs”
(2010) brought the Blue Economy concept into prominence. The Blue Economy is envisaged
as the integration of Ocean Economy development with the principles of social inclusion,
environmental sustainability and innovative, dynamic business models.
At the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) held in Rio de
Janeiro in 2012, blue economy was viewed as ocean economy that aims at the “improvement
of human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and
ecological scarcities. The outcome document titled the “Future We Want” highlights the
ocean’s contribution to growth, stating; “We stress the importance of the conservation and
sustainable use of the oceans and seas and of their resources for sustainable development.” At
its core the ocean economy refers to the decoupling of socio-economic development from
environmental degradation. In this regard, efficiency and optimization of natural marine
resources within ecological limits becomes paramount” (UNCTAD, 2014).
The European Commission (2012) has defined the concept of blue economy as “all economic
activities related to the oceans, seas and coasts. This includes the closest direct and indirect
supporting activities necessary for the functioning of these economic sectors, which can be
located anywhere, including in landlocked countries”.
2. Fundamental Principles of Blue Economy:

Optimizing the benefits received from the development of their marine environments
eg fishery agreements, bio prospecting, oil and mineral extraction.

Promoting national equity, including gender equality, and in particular the generation
of inclusive growth and decent jobs for all.

Having their concerns and interests properly reflected in the development of seas
beyond national jurisdiction, including the refinement of international governance
mechanisms and their concerns as States proximate to seabed development.
3. Sectors and Activities of Blue Economy
The concept of blue economy is subject to multiple interpretations of the coverage of
activities, geographical locations and sectors from the available literature, an indicative list of
sectors and the activities fall in those sectors are illustrated below;
Sectors
Activities
Fishing
Capture fishery, Aquaculture, seafood processing
Marine Biotechnology Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, seaweed harvesting, seaweed products,
marine derived bio-products.
Minerals
Oil and gas, deep-sea mining (exploration of rare earth metals,
hydrocarbon)
Marine
Renewable Offshore wind energy production, wave energy production, tidal
Energy
energy production
Marine manufacturing Boat manufacturing, sail making, net manufacturing, boat and ship
manufacturing and repairing, marine instrumentation, aquaculture
technology, water construction, marine industrial engineering.
Shipping, Port & Ship building and repairing, ship owners and operators, shipping
Maritime logistics
agents and brokers, ship management, liner and port agents, port
companies, ship suppliers, container shipping services, stevedores,
roll-on roll-off operators, custom clearance, freight forwarders,
safety and training.
Marine Tourism & Sea angling from boats, sea angling from the shore, sailing at sea,
Leisure
boating at sea, water skiing, jet skiing, surfing, sail boarding, sea
kayaking, scuba diving, swimming in the sea, bird watching in
coastal areas, whale, dolphin watching, visiting coastal natural
reserves, trips to the beach, seaside and islands,
Marine Construction
Marine construction and engineering.
Marine Commerce
Marine ICT
Education
research
Marine financial services, marine legal services, marine insurance,
ship finance & related services, charterers, media & publishing.
Marine engineering consultancy, meteorological consultancy,
environmental consultancy, hydro-survey consultancy, project
management consultancy, ICT solutions, geo-informatics services,
yacht design, submarine telecom.
and Education and training, R&D.
(Sources: Compiled from Morrissey et al. (2010), EIU (2015a), Govt. of Ireland (2012) and
Marine Institute)
4. Blue Economy in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, discussions on blue economy started after the settlement of maritime
boundary delimitation dispute with Myanmar and India. The declaration of verdict by the
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Germany in the delimitation case
with Myanmar on 14 March in 2012. The award helped Bangladesh establishing sovereign
rights over the living and nonliving resources of the Bay of Bengal in the Exclusive
Economic Zone within 200 nm and in the continental shelf beyond 200nm. In the same way,
the verdict with India declared on 7 July 2014 also allowed Bangladesh’s sovereign rights on
all the living and mineral resources of the Continental Shelf extending upto 354 nautical
miles. Bangladesh’s economy is sea borne to a good extent and with $ 130 billion GDP the
country’s economy stands the 44th in the world.
Emphasizing the importance of ocean based economy Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (on 1st
September’2014 in International workshop on Blue Economy at Dhaka) underscored the
marine- based economic activities and management of sea and its resources through “Blue
Economy”, saying such activities could create new horizon for the development of a coastal
country like Bangladesh. The Bay of Bengal is an inseparable part of Bangladesh and is our
third neighbour. There is no doubt that sea-related subjects like expansion of international
trade, use of marine mineral resources for long-term energy security, proper management of
marine fish resources and protecting marine environment and bio-diversity would determine
Bangladesh’s future development and economic growth. Today, 90% of the country’s trade is
transported through the sea. The fish stocks and other inorganic resources in the Bay of
Bengal can contribute greatly to our economy. Bangladesh earns substantially by exporting
marine fishes. It is now more appropriate than ever to rely on ocean resources and
management of such resources through the concept of Blue economy. HE Sheikh Hasina, PM
also mentioned in the workshop that owing to the absence of maritime boundary demarcation,
people of Bangladesh were not able to take any effective steps to exploit and explore the
marine resources of the Bay of Bengal. Our fishermen in one hand faced difficulties in
exploiting fishes in the sea, on the other hand, fishermen of other countries easily plundered
our fish resources due to unsettled maritime boundary (MoFA, 2014).
The concept of blue economy in our country can be developed as emerging sectors. There
exists tremendous opportunities for Bangladesh to strengthen Ocean Based Economy. Among
the above mentioned 11 sectors Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock have wide scope for
developing Fishing, Marine Bio-technology and Education & research Sectors.
4.1 Maritime Environment
Bangladesh has a land area of 147,570 square km and a population of over 160 million. Landlocked on three sides and in the south there is a coastline of the Bay of Bengal.
Geographically, Bangladesh lies at the junction of the Indian and Malayan sub regions of the
Indo-Malayan realm. Most part of the country is low-lying, about 10 meters above Mean Sea
Level (MSL). The geography of Bangladesh may be divided into three feature specific
segments; the continental segment formed by the northern parts, the littoral segment in the
southern lower Bengal and the maritime segment formed by the Bay. Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ) covers four potential fishing grounds. The four major fishing grounds are:

South Patches and South of South Patches lies between 20° 50'N to 21° 40'N
latitude and 91° 00'E to 91° 50'E Longitude, covering an area of about 6200 km².

The Middling fishing ground situated between 20° 50'N to 21° 20'N latitude and 90°
00'E to 91° 00'E longitude that covers an area of about 4600 km².

Finally, the Swatch of no ground lies between 21° 00'N to 21° 25'N latitude and 89°
00'E to 90° 00'E longitude, which covers an area of about 3800 km² (Shahidullah,
1983).
The Bangladesh coastline extends 710 kms along the northern edge of the Bay of Bengal,
from the mouth of the Naaf River in the southeast, to the mouth of the Raimangal River in the
southwest. The coastal zone of Bangladesh enjoys a tropical maritime climate. Its four
distinct seasonal weather patterns, which are principally governed by the Southwest and
Northeast Monsoons, are:




The dry winter season from December to February.
The transition period from March to May (pre-monsoon).
The rainy season from June to September.
The second transition period between October and November (post-monsoon).
Normally about 80-90% of the annual rainfall is confined to the monsoon months (JuneSeptember).
4.2 Maritime Area
At the end of the final settlement of maritime border disputes with neighboring states
Myanmar and India in 2012 and 2014 respectively, Bangladesh has received entitlement to
118,813 sq. km in the BoB comprising her territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ) (MoFA, 2014). Taking into account major river inlets and estuaries, which are together
very much a part of the marine ecosystem, the total marine waters of Bangladesh stands at
121,110 sq. km of which coastal waters and the shallow shelf sea constitute about 20% and
35% respectively, the rest (45%) lying in deeper waters (Chowdhury 2014a). Almost all of
Bangladesh's marine fishing is carried out in shallow and shelf waters, beyond which no
fishing is being currently done due to lack of vessel capacity and appropriate fishing
technologies.
Figure 1.2. Maritime area of Bangladesh (from Chowdhury 2014a)
Within the BoB, Bangladesh has the widest shallow shelf region extending more than 100
nautical miles (185 km), 3-4 times wider than those of Myanmar, the eastern coast of India
and the global average (65 km), providing a greater shallow bottom fishing area per unit
length of coastline than its neighbors. Being located in the largest delta of the world means
the coast of Bangladesh is in a continuous process of reshaping itself that will continue for
millennia in the future, which translates on the ground into coastal erosion and accretion
taking place all the time for centuries. This dynamic of the coast raised both havoc and
opportunities.
4.3 Marine fisheries resources in Bangladesh
The fisheries resources play a significant role in fulfilling the demand of animal protein and
socio-economic development of the country. For example, more than sixteen million people
(about 11% of total population) of Bangladesh directly or indirectly depend on the fisheries
sector for their livelihood. The BoB of Bangladesh is blessed with rich coastal and marine
ecosystems, hosting a wide range of biodiversity, such as fishes, shrimps, molluscs, crabs,
mammals, seaweeds, etc. (Table 1). A number of surveys examined the status of marine
fisheries resources between 1970s and 1980s (Table 2), but no recent and comprehensive
knowledge is available on the fisheries stocks, systematics, biological and ecological aspects
of the coastal and marine fisheries of Bangladesh (Hossain D.M.H et al, 2015).
Table-1: Coastal and marine fisheries resources in Bangladesh
Category
Bony fish
Cartilaginous (softboned) fish
Shrimp
Crab
Lobster
Mollusc (Oyster)
Algae/Seaweed
Coral
Starfish/Echinoderms
Whale/Dolphin
Squids (Cuttlefish)
Number of species (reviewed by)
Hossain 2001
Islam 2003
475
475
Ahamed et al. 2012
442
50
-
-
25
15
5
301(6)
56b
13
3
11
-
24
50
301(3)
20-22c
7(2)
56a
16
3
336
168
66
4
-
aShrimp/Prawn; bAlgae; cSeaweed
Table-2: Standing stock (in tons) of demersal fish, pelagic fish and shrimp of the Bay of Bengal during
the1970s and 1980s.
Demersal fish
264,000-373,000
160,000
200,000-250,000
Pelagic fish
90,000-160,000
160,000-200,000
Shrimp
9,000
4,000-6,000
Reference
West (1973)
Saetre (1981)
Penn (1983)
A total of 234 species of fish have been identified from the St Martin Island. Of which, 98
species are coral associated. The total number of recorded mollusk species from the St.
Martin’s Island stands at 187 species. 7 species of crabs were recorded from the island. A
total of 66 coral species were recorded, of which 19 are fossil coral. 36 living coral and the
rest are under 6 families of sub class octocorallia. A total of 14 species of algae and 3 species
of lobsters were recorded from the St. Martin’s Island.
Approximately 5-10% of the surface area of the sub-tidal zone of the St. Martin’s Island is
covered with corals. Coral collection at the present rate is detrimental for their survival.
Although the St. Martin’s Island is referred to as a “coral Island” no indication of coral reef
formation was found in the Island. The earlier reports of “coral reefs” are in fact “boulder
reefs”. (Tomascik, T.1997)
The harvest of marine capture fisheries was 379,497 tons during 2000-2001 that ramped up to
588,988 tons in 2012-2013 (DoF 2014) and sold as frozen (transported to large cities and
overseas) or fresh in local markets. A considerable amount of fish are salted and dried,
mainly for human consumption. Incidentally, the use of dried fish as a source of fishmeal is
gradually increasing due to intensification of fish and poultry farming. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa
ilisha)is the larget and single most valuable species with annual catch of 340,000 MT, and
generates employment and income for 2.5 million people valued at $US 1.3 billion per year
(BOBLME 2012, Hossain et al. 2014). At present 50-60% of global hilsa catch takes place in
the coastal and marine waters of Bangladesh, 20-25% in Myanmar, 15-20% in India and the
remaining 5-10% in other countries. A total of 46,568 MT tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
was caught from BoB during 2012-2013 (DoF 2014), most of which directly go to the
processing plant and end up in the markets of USA, EU and Japan. Over the last 10-15 years,
live giant mud crab (Scylla serrata) and estuarine eel (Muraenesox bagio) have been
exported to East Asian countries. Less than 20% exported live crab come from crab fattening
by the marginal farmers of Satkhira, Bagerhat and Cox’s Bazar coasts. Moreover, the harvest
of young and undersized sharks and rays are dried, while the large sharks are dumped
overboard after removing their fins and some other body parts. The majority of phaisa
(Setipinna phasa) caught in the coast are used to make fermented fish product.
The number of industrial trawler operating in the Bangladesh fisheries water is 243 and 10
more long liner are in the pipeline through government decision those will be engaged in
deep sea fishing mainly to exploit large pelagic viz. tuna and tuna like species (Humayun M
Nasiruddin’15). There is also a tremendous increase in the artisanal fleet which numbered
more than 68,000 in mechanized and non mechanized categories. This scenario has result in
tremendous pressure on the resources. There are signs of overexploitation of some important
demersal species like grunters, threadfins, snapper and large croakers and catfishes. In this
desperate situation the fishers are trying to catch fish by decreasing their mesh size and other
destructive fishing practices with the consequence of both recruitment and growth
overfishing.
A number of surveys conducted since 1958 to 1986, proved the potentialities of demersal
fish, pelagic fish and shrimp stocks, but no survey was done since then. Detail survey for
pelagic fish resources have not yet been carried out in Bangladesh marine waters. Demersal
fish and shrimp surveys indicated a good abundance of large pelagic i.e. tuna and tuna like
fishes and sharks in Bangladesh fishery waters.
The recent verdict over the dispute resolution on maritime boundary by ITLOS and
Permanent Court of Arbitration increased the horizon and hopes to develop its fisheries
within the now undisputed area in the coming time. Bangladesh, in the mean time has
instituted several conservation and management measures within the artisanal and industrial
fisheries considering the welfare of the small scale fishers-comprising gear, temporal and
spatial restrictions as well as compensation during the closed season.
In order to explore enhanced economic return from Ocean Based natural resources fisheries
could be a priority sector where prevails multifaceted and confronting issues as well as
opportunities which is addressed for future consideration from own resources and foreign
assistance.
4.4 Capture Fisheries
4.4.1 Management of Hilsa and many other important commercial species
Hilsa is one the most important species in the SAARC region, especially for Bangladesh and
India with Myanmar also having a good hilsa population. Pakistan also has a small stock of
Hilsa. Growth overfishing by catching of its juveniles from the nursery grounds and
recruitment overfishing by catching of hilsa gravids in the breeding grounds are the two
major concerns that the countries sharing the Hilsa stock have to address. Bangladesh has
already set an example in this case which will be further strengthened by India and Myanmar
joining in. Similarly straddling species like Indian mackerel, sardine, bombay duck, pomfret
sea catfish, may similarly managed through transboundary/joint effort. We may have
common grounds in the management of our shrimps resources with neighboring coastal states
(Humayun M Nasiruddin’15).
4.4.2 Excessive fishing capacity and effort
The resource has been exploited for ages with little regard to sustainability and conservation.
The irrational exploitation of fisheries resources has created imbalance in the ecosystem
resulting in the degradation of the marine environment and the decline of many important fish
and animals to the point of extinction. The demersal fish population has long been depleted
and the present fishing tends to deplete the pelagic resource as well. Harvesting traditions,
methods and technologies were geared towards profitability causing serious damage to the
marine environment and fisheries resources. There is need for thorough review of the
fisheries from management and conservation view point and attaining sustainability of the
resources. The fishing capacity has to reviewed and the fishing effort controlled to
rehabilitate shrimp particularly tiger shrimp and other commercial demersal species and fish
4.4.3 Degradation of coastal and mangrove habitats
Many researchers around the world highlighted the importance of mangroves as nursery
grounds of larval and juvenile stages of finishes, shrimps, crabs and cockles. The net-like
spread root system of the mangrove acts as a coastal stabilizer and binders of sediment and
thus aids in preventing erosion in the mangrove areas. Bangladesh is very fortunate of
holding the 60% of the largest mangrove forest of the world, the Sundarban. Sustainable
management and eco-tourism on the Sundarban would be one of our future endeavours.
However, extension of human habitat is responsible for the destruction of mangroves. The
mangrove areas suffer from various manmade intervention viz. commercial and amateur
fishing, industrial waters disposal, urbanization, commercial and recreational shipping and
increased use of agricultural chemical inputs. Therefore, urgent attention is necessary to
investigate the various ways and degree of interventions that are responsible for destruction
of mangrove ecosystem in Bangladesh. Ship-breaking industry disposing different toxic
chemicals, fuel, oil, grease, heavy metals, suspended solid etc. to the coastal and marine
waters. This needs to be reduced quickly using proper treatment plant before disposal, but
fisheries department can do very little about it.
4.4.4 Need for development of MCS in Marine Fisheries
MCS is a tool to implement management and conservation of marine fisheries resources.
Currently, there exists only one office in Chittagong to control and monitor the activities of
243 trawlers, innumerable number of mechanized and non-mechanized fishing boats engaged
in marine and coastal waters. The Department of Fisheries has only one Marine Fisheries
Surveillance Check Post based in Patenga, Chittagong to perform MCS activities. Other
coastal districts do not have any such check post to implement management and conservation
measure. In addition the Department lacks the sufficient infrastructure such as, fishing ports,
petrol vessel, VTMS, VHF, and other facilities needed to effectively implement a MCS
system for management and conservation of Marine Fisheries. A very robust MCS system is
needed to achieve sustainability in fisheries. Some modern MCS activities might be started
under the mid-term activities, but for updating those, long-term activities are essential using
modern digital system of MCS like VTMS. Research in development of the resource
assessment and digital mapping activities should be on continuous long-term basis and that
should be conducted nationally and on regional basis(Humayun M Nasiruddin’15).
4.4.5 Suggestions and Recommendations of Capture Fisheries
Short-term

Explore the prospect of harvesting export oriented large pelagic species within
the EEZ and beyond
Tuna and tuna like fisheries have potential for development. Surveys by R.V. Fishery
Research No-2 (1979) and R.V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen (1979-1980) indicates presence of
some species of tunas and tuna like fishes in the EEZ of Bangladesh. BIMSTEC
survey indicate the feasibility of catching tuna near the EEZ of Bangladesh(latitude
16°N -19°N, longitude 88°E -91°E) particularly skipjacks with DGN .The
neighbouring countries like Myanmar and India are harvesting tuna and tuna like
fishes and exporting them to developed countries. But we are only catching tuna and
tuna like fishes as by catch of trawl and gill net fisheries. Viable option for harvesting
tuna like fishes from October to March during south west monsoon exist and
necessary exploratory trials with loglines and drift gillnet in the EEZ of Bangladesh
and also in the extended continental shelf may be explored.
To explore the possibility of economically harvesting those species, the steps needed
for the assessment of the stocks;
 identifications of the migratory routes and seasons;
 appropriate harvesting technologies;
 joining as a member of IOTC and sharing the information.

Rehabilitation of Hilsa Fishery
Hilsa is one of the most important species in the SAARC region, especially in
Bangladesh and India. Pakistan also has little share of the species, and out of SAARC,
Myanmar has got significant share of the species in the region. One of the common
problems regarding the species is the catching of its juveniles from the nursery
grounds, which is located in the coastal regions. Prevention of harvest these juveniles
will significantly improve the recruitment that will ultimately increase the production
of the species in the region. As this is a transboundary species, a joint effort will
provide better results.

Management of gravid mother of the tiger shrimp for optimization of the catch
and use of gravid mother of the tiger shrimp for hatcheries
Abundance of adult tiger shrimps (P. monodon), especially the gravid mother used as
brood-stocks for the coastal aquaculture industry have been declining. This has
resulted in the trawl industry expanding its operations into inshore waters (i.e. from
the 40 m depth contour to as shallow as 10 m) to maintain catches for the hatcheries.
Sometimes they catch too much and sometimes they cannot catch as per requirement.
The problem is repetitive and needs urgent attention. Therefore, it is necessary to
address the issue applying harvest control and use control strategy to control both use
and harvest rationally.
Mid-term

Digital Marine Fisheries Resource Mapping for the marine waters using digital
cartography of the marine fisheries resources
Digital Marine Fisheries Resource Mapping (DMFRM) is an essential tool for
efficient and sustainable harvesting of the marine resources. However, in all SAARC
countries this is either absent or not in a state of art position. If a common DMFRM
can be developed for the SAARC countries, that will be very useful all the countries
and at the same time will save the required investment in this respect.

Managing trans-boundary fisheries resources
There are many trans-boundary important fisheries resources that need to be managed
on regional basis. This may be done under the UN agreement on the straddling and
highly migratory fish stocks which give the two countries to work under the auspices
of the UN to manage and conserve these fisheries for optimum benefit.
Long-term

Long-term information generation on ocean dynamics and climate change
Ocean dynamics greatly influence the behavior and life strategy of marine species and
it also contribute to the climate change. Therefore, a long-term and continuous study
should be conducted to generate information on generation on ocean dynamics and
climate change.

Resources assessment of commercially important demersal, mesopelagic and
pelagic, resources
The shrimp and finfish catches have declined in both absolute terms as well as in
terms of their overall contribution to catch. Furthermore, the bottom trawl fishery is
damaging to the benthic habitats and has very high discard rates. High value finfish
from gillnet and other commercial fisheries is also declining. At the moment, however
the fishing activities are going on without proper assessment. Therefore, proper
assessment of stock for all the important ( demersal, mesopelagic and pelagic) finfish
and penaeid shrimps are essential and need to be done on continuous and long-term
basis.

Long-term study on fish behavior and fishing technology
Long-term study on fishing behavior, detection of spawning, nursery and fishing
grounds and fishing technology to generate new environment friendly and resource
friendly harvesting technologies.

Development of MCS in Marine Fisheries
There is only one office in Chittagong to control and monitor 243 trawlers, 68000 no.
of mechanized and non mechanized boats all along the coast of Bangladesh. The
Department of Fisheries has only one check post in Chittagong to check fishing boats.
Most of the coastal districts do not have any check post to implement management
and conservation measure. In addition the Department lacks the sufficient
infrastructure such as, fishing ports, petrol vessel, VTMS, VHF, and other facilities
needed to effectively implement a MCS system for management and conservation of
Marine Fisheries. A very robust MCS system is needed to achieve sustainability in
fisheries.

Information sharing and database management
Information sharing among the regional bodies and scientists is very important for
sustainable technology generation and all information should be shared and managed
through a web-based database system.

Skilled manpower development
Marine sector in Bangladesh is remarkably short in skilled manpower and this
shortfalls should be fulfilled through training, higher study and new recruitments.
4.5 Coastal Aquaculture
4.5.1 Shrimp Farming
In Bangladesh coastal aquaculture, mainly of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture, has
taken place mainly on the reclaimed mangrove forested land in the Sundarbans at southwest
part and in the Chokoria-sundarbans at southeastern part of Bangladesh. The cultural practice
has gradually improved from extensive to semi intensive and there is huge area of
improvement. The cultural practices are still more or less traditional system. The shrimp
cultural areas are mostly large areas where the management techniques such as a optimum
PH, temperature, salinity, weed and weed fish control is hard to implement. The use of quality
seeds, safe water and bio-security are far from present. So shrimp production could be
increase many folds even if the semi intensive culture was managed in a scientific way.
Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), locally known as bagda, is the only brackish water
(coastal) aquaculture species predominantly cultivated in the coastal districts of Satkhira,
Khulna, Bagerhat and Cox’s Bazar. Shrimp farming expanded rapidly between 1970 and
1990, to about 183,221 hectares (Belton et al. 2011), mostly in ghers (piece of land protected
from the sea by polders) under extensive production systems. This farming practice is
significant to our national economy, earning the second largest foreign exchange for the
country, about US$478 million (EPB 2012). Despite the immense potential for further
growth, shrimp cultivation is facing multiple challenges related to disease outbreaks,
technological barriers, poor compliance with quality standards, sourcing of seed, etc. By
selectively overcoming these bottlenecks, shrimp cultivation can be intensified and the
production improved considerably.
Production intensification (from extensive to semi-intensive system): Most of the shrimp
farms in Bangladesh use traditional or extensive cultivation methods characterized by lowstocking density and zero to minimum inputs, with low yields(60-230 kg/ha, hence making
suboptimal use of the land-water resources. These outdated modes of production need to be
upgraded to semi-intensive methods with the introduction of healthy seed, quality feed and
good husbandry practices, reaching a plausible boost in production up to 6,000 kg/ha (Paul
and Vogl 2011). Intensification comes with its own risks and challenges, but at some point in
growing demands and diminishing supplies measures must be taken to meet such challenges,
and techniques must be learnt to reduce and avert the risks. Cautious intensification of
farming should now be undertaken at pilot scales in carefully selected areas, taking full
advantage of the collective knowledge of the international community (Mexico, China,
Ecuador, etc.).
4.5.2 Crab Culture and Fattening
Different species of crabs are also available in marine waters of Bangladesh. Among them,
mud crab (Scylla serrata) and swimming crab (Portunus sp.) are abundantly available (DFID
2003). The mud crab, Scylla serrata, is an important species having high export and culture
potential. In the Sundarban, the Mudcrabs are known for their ‘export-quality flesh. Over the
last decade this export-oriented and thriving crab fishery emerged as almost a hobson’s
choice for the crab hunters. For hunting crab the newly turned fishers just to go in with a
permit from Forest Department and collect literally whatever they can get. But back home
this delicious dishes leave the World’s largest mangrove ecosystem; to which they are one of
the main ecosystem engineers. In Sundarban they maintain habitats and provide nutrients to
other species. If this unsustainable extraction on an unprecedented scale goes on, balance of
Sundarban’s ecosystem will collapse.
4.5.3 Expansion of coastal aquaculture of non-traditional species
There are many potentially important species for mariculture such as, seabass, grouper,
pomfret, mullets, edible oysters (Crassostrea sp. Saccostrea sp.), pearl oyster, (Anadrasp.),
green mussel (Pernaviridis), clam (Meretrixmeretrix, Marcia opima), sea snails, swimming
crab, squid, cuttle fish, sea weeds, sea cucumber, star fish, etc (Hossain 2004). However, due
to the lack of technologies and adverse nature of the weather and coastal topography the
possibility of maintaining rafts, pens and cages in the marine waters seems bleak. Hence the
above species may be adapted for coastal aquaculture.
4.5.4 Suggestions and Recommendations
Short-term

Promotion of environment friendly and sustainable shrimp farming systems in
the coastal region of Bangladesh

Development of sustainable crab culture and fattening in the coastal region of
Bangladesh
Crab culture and fattening in a sustainable manner would be very essential on the light
of the growing crab export industry to ensure the supply without hampering our
natural stocks.
Mid-term

Development of seed production and farming system of commercially important
euryhaline species
The expansion of hatcheries technologies for mass seed production of some important
marine fish like seabass, mullets, pomfrets and groupers may help in the development
of coastal aquaculture of these important species.
Long-term

Introduction of the coastal culture practices for potentially important species
The species would be seabass, grouper, pomfret, mullets, edible oysters
(Crassostreasp. Saccostreasp.), pearl oyster, (Anadrasp.), green mussel
(Pernaviridis), clam (Meretrixmeretrix, Marcia opima), sea snails, swimming crab,
squid, cuttle fish, sea weeds, sea cucumber, star fish, etc.However, due to the rough
weather condition a very large investment and effort would be necessary to start this.

Mitigation and adaptive measures on the impacts of climate change
Mitigation and adaptive measures on the impacts of climate change scenarios need to
be taken with great importance of the euryhaline (that can tolerate a wide range of
salinities) coastal fisheries resources, which may fetch positive outcomes if taken
proper measures.
4.6 Development of Marine Aquatic Products
Various frozen and dried marine products are produced and exported to many countries.
Frozen products includes, mainly black tiger shrimp (P. monodon), some other shrimp and
various white fish mainly Hilsa and pomfrets. Some value added frozen shrimp products like
ready to eat and ready to cook products also produced and exported. Various dried and semidried products includes, ribbonfish, Bombay duck, croackers, pomfrets, air-bladder of various
fish, shark fins and skin of skates. Some other products include shark liver oil, fish scale,
dried sea weed, ornamental shells of molluscs and corals. Moreover, export of lives crabs are
increasing day by day. The quality improvement and quality control as well as development
of various new and new value added products targeting the national and international markets
are the main issues in these fields.
For sustainable utilization of the marine fish and fish products post harvest preservation,
processing, proper marketing and quality control practices are essential. Present practices in
post harvest handling, processing and food safety practices need to extend to all areas and
levels to be harmonized with to the international standards through short and long terms
development strategies. Many species of fish have export potential. Product diversification
and value addition in fish and shrimp processing and exploring new markets and
consolidating the existing ones may form the core strategy to increase exports.
Suggestions and Recommendations

Long-term research on preservation, processing and quality control of marine
products Proper handling, preservation, processing and quality control mechanisms
are essential to utilize the harvested marine species to get the best nutritional,
palatability and economic benefits including the foreign exchange earnings.
Therefore, long-term and continuous research and development must be taken with
great importance.
4.7 Blue Biotechnology
There are enormous prospects and potentials of blue biotechnologies using various marine
medicinal, nutritional and ornamental resources. However, at the moment not such
technology is available in Bangladesh. Introduction of new and new biotechnology to utilize
the benefit naturally produced biochemical are the main issues in this area.
Interest in marine biotechnology has been gaining momentum across the globe and the
activity is expected to generate 10-12% annual growth in the coming years. This is largely for
meeting the growing demands of bioproducts and biomaterials that cannot be guaranteed
from terrestrial sources alone. Marine biotechnology (or blue-biotechnology) is a young
subset of biotechnology and simply refers as the science and technology that uses marine
bioresources such as fish, algae, bacteria and invertebrates, or their parts, to bring desirable
products and other benefits for humans. Although, many institutes (BARI, BLRI, BJRI,
BRRI, BTRI, NIB), research centres (BCSIR, ICDDR,B), universities and private
organization of the country are involved in conventional (land-based) biotechnology works
with mentionable progress and success (i.e., whole genome sequencing of jute, high-yielding
varieties of rice, pest/ salt/ drought resistant crops, biofertilizers, vaccines, etc.), surprisingly
there is no national marine biotechnology R&D institute and programmes. The promising
pharmaceutical and coastal aquaculture sectors as well as livelihoods of poor people of the
country would benefit if marine organisms can be used as a source of new materials/ products
especially for applications in health (antibiotics, anti-cancer, bioactives compounds,
nutritional supplements, etc.) and food (marine fish, shrimp, molluscs, seaweed farming). To
date, coastal/ marine aquaculture of the country is centred on only tiger shrimp (P. monodon)
farming, but it is also a disease prone industry and economically less attractive. In order to
enhance aquaculture productivity, domestication of new species such as grey mullet (Mugil
cephalus), seabass (Lates calcarifer), white shrimp (P. indicus), mud crab (Scylla serrata)
and their larviculture technology, and selective breeding schemes to develop disease-resistant
shrimp stocks can be the suitable alternatives involving biotechnological approaches.
Nevertheless, numerous untapped novel microorganisms and under exploited fisheries
Suggestions and Recommendations

There are enormous prospects and potentials of blue biotechnologies using various
marine medicinal, nutritional and ornamental resources. In these respects some longterm initiatives would be: utilization of algae/ sea weeds and other unicellular
organisms as food additives to enhance nutritional values of marine products;
exploration and extraction of medicinal bio-chemicals like fangs (poisonous biochemicals) from sea snakes, string rays and puffer fishes; and exploration and
extraction of bioluminescence (light producing bio-chemicals) from bio- luminous
marine organisms.
4.8 Marine Education, Training and Research
Well-trained, skilled and educated human resources are the driving force of the development
of an economy, who can participate in the globalization of business and the accompanying
technological revolution. Dynamic and sustainable development is not possible without
skilled work force. Having assessed the need of world market and local industry, appropriate
courses on marine science/oceanography, ocean and coastal engineering, maritime education
and trade are essential to introduce at tertiary education system. A large eligible population
places Bangladesh in a suitable position to produce skilled human resources in almost any
sector imaginable. A thrust in blue economic growth may come from a large army of skilled
coastal and offshore engineers, navigators, merchant mariners, fisheries technologists,
biotechnologists, etc. and in a variety of other professions. There are reportedly shortage of
marine officers and rating worldwide and shortage escalating about 20% every year.
Philippines, China and India are supplying providing most of the officers to all the merchant
ships around the globes. Even Myanmar and Sri Lanka are ranked ahead of India in terms of
providing ratings. Bangladesh has enormous potential for seafaring job opportunities from its
18 private and public marine academies provided it can arrange on board practical training
facilities for its would be seafarer and also can remain in the white list following STCW 95.
Recently the National Oceanographic Research Institute (NORI) has been established for
coastal and oceanic research (Alam M. Khurshed, MoFA,2015).
4.9 Marine Pollution and other Environmental Issues
Municipal Waters, Industrial Pollution, Oil Pollution, Ship Breaking, Impact of Coastal
Aquaculture on Environment, Natural Disasters, Sea Level Rise, Persistent Organic
Pollutants (POPs)-a transboundary problem. These are creating harmful to coastal and marine
biodiversity. (Maruf, H 2004)
The sustainable management and eco-tourism on the Sundarbans would be one of our future
endeavors. The following two inter-departmental programs may be initiated on the long-term
basis:
 Integrated aquaculture cum forestation in the mangrove forest of the coastal region of
Bangladesh through coordinated program with forestry
 Initiation of mangrove protection and enhancement, pollution control, protection of
coastal embankments, reclamation of new islands/areas activities.
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