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BANGLADESH COUNTRY PAPER-GLOBAL OCEANS ACTION SUMMIT FOR FOOD SECURITY AND BLUE GROWTH
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL)
Introduction
1.
From ancient times, fishing has been a major source of food for humanity and a provider of
employment and economic benefits to those engaged in this activity. The wealth of aquatic resources
was assumed to be an unlimited gift of nature. However, with increased knowledge and the dynamic
development of fisheries after the Second World War, this myth has faded in face of the realization that
aquatic resources, although renewable, are not infinite and need to be properly managed, if their
contribution to the nutritional, economic and social well-being of the growing world's population is to
be sustained.
2.
The widespread introduction in the mid-seventies of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and the
adoption in 1982, after long deliberations, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS-III) provided a new framework for the better management of marine resources. The new legal
regime of the ocean gave coastal state’s rights and responsibilities for the management and use of
fishery resources within their EEZs which embrace some 90 percent of the world's marine fisheries.
Such extended national jurisdiction was a necessary but insufficient step toward the efficient
management and sustainable development of fisheries. Many coastal states continued to face serious
challenges as, lacking experience and financial and physical resources; they sought to extract greater
benefits from the fisheries within their EEZs.
3.
In recent years, world fisheries have become a market-driven, dynamically developing sector of the
food industry and coastal states have striven to take advantage of their new opportunities by investing in
modern fishing fleets and processing factories in response to growing international demand for fish and
fishery products. By the late 1980s it became clear, however, that fisheries resources could no longer
sustain such rapid and often uncontrolled exploitation and development, and those new approaches to
fisheries management embracing conservation and environmental considerations were urgently
needed. The situation was aggravated by the realization that Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU)
fisheries on the high seas. In some cases involving straddling and highly migratory fish species, which
occur within and outside EEZs, were becoming a matter of increasing concern.
4.
Bangladesh is also not in any way out of this misty atmosphere with enormous offshore living
resources in the Bay of Bengal. Like any other coastal state and burdened with large population,
Bangladesh is focusing her interests in the long coast line and the vast offshore living resources to
augment her internal assets. As the land based resources are getting scarce day by day, the need for
new resources will make more significant use of sea in the near future. With the implementation of
UNCLOS III coastal nations are competing to increase their sea area to occupy more resources. With
the advancement of science and technology people are putting their best efforts in exploring and
extracting these resources. Every coastal country is endeavoring relentlessly to gain benefit both
economically and ecologically by ensuring optimum utilization of these resources. The forth coming
summit on Global Ocean for Food Security and Blue Growth (22-25 April, 2014 the Hague, The
Netherlands) shall bring together EEZ and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) stakeholders on
common issues like conservations of living resources of the sea/ocean for future generation which
presumed to have positive impact on food security and ocean health in future.
5.
In attempting to discuss on food security and blue growth for Global Ocean Action Summit in
respect of Bangladesh, this paper first considers the marine environment of Bangladesh and the
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fisheries resources therein. Highlighting on the threats to marine habitats of Bangladesh, it illustrates
Government’s look for turning the tide in these regards. Within the purview of the above, deductions in
respect of Bangladesh are also presented. Finally, narrating the country’s marine resources
conservation, management and Government’s initiatives on the subjcets, some recommendations are
also forward on the issues.
AIM
6.
The aim of this paper is to present the Bangladesh Country Paper on behalf of the Ministry of
Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL) on Food Security and Blue Growth for Global Ocean Actions Summit (22 to
25 April, 2014, The Hague, The Netherlands)
Marine Environment of Bangladesh
7.
General Facts on Geography and Weather Phenomenon. Bangladesh has a land area of
144,054 square km and a population of over 110 million. Land-locked on three sides, it is in the south
alone that it has a coastline-the Bay of Bengal washing this southern border. Geographically,
Bangladesh lies at the junction of the Indian and Malayan sub regions of the Indo-Malayan realm. Most
of the country is low-lying, about 10 meters above Mean Sea Level (MSL). Bangladesh is waked with a
network of 700 water courses that are category of waters from an area of about 5 million square
kilometers and creating 46,000 square kilometers wetland islands. These make Bangladesh to look like
a fringe of islands. In this reality, the geography of Bangladesh may be divided into three feature
specific segments; the continental segment formed by the northern plants, the littoral segment in the
southern lower Bengal and the maritime segment formed by the Bay. Maritime living resources of
Bangladesh in brief possesses a sizable water areas of about 1,66,000 square km in the Bay of
Bengal and her EEZ covers about 1,40,860 square km which has four potential fishing grounds. The
Bangladesh coastline extends 710 kms (excluding major indentations) 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. In the dry season, the salt water limit follows an irregular line. Its width varies from
less than 2 km, bordering some parts of the Cox’s Bazar coastline, to as much as 50 km inland in the
districts of Khulna and Satkhira. During the monsoon season, floodwater pushes the salinity limit to
near the coast, except in the districts of Khulna and Satkhira, where seasonal salinity variations are
small. The coast for the most part is on the cyclonic tracks which form over the Bay of Bengal and
suffers almost annually from severe damage caused by storms and tidal waves. The Meghna estuary,
in fact, acts as a funnel which draws the cyclones in. 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:
a.
The dry winter season from December to February.
b.
The transition period from March to May (pre-monsoon).
c.
The rainy season from June to September.
d.
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).
8.
Estuaries.
Bangladesh’s entire coastline is intercepted by an intricate network of
interconnecting waterways varying in width from a few meters to several kilometers. These generally
run in a north to south direction, some of the world’s biggest rivers such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra,
Meghna and Karnaphuli enter into the Bay of Bengal through this estuarine system. Although intensive
estuarine studies have not yet been carried out-but several authors have highlighted some interesting
aspects of the Bangladesh estuarine system. The principal features of estuarine hydrology is the
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presence of a prolonged low saline regime in every year mostly during the monsoon and post-monsoon
seasons. A semi-diurnal tide is typical of Bangladesh’s coastal waters with a range of approximately 03
meters during the spring tide season. The mean tide level however, is not constant throughout the year
as it undergoes changes that vary with latitude and hydrography. The Bay of Bengal has possibly the
largest such variations known on the earth. These large mean tide fluctuations have an important
bearing on the overall geomorphology of the coastal area. The average level in March, for instance, is
94 cm below the average levels found in September-the month with the highest tides. Estuarine
plankton communities have also been studied. Until now, benthic estuarine fauna did not receive
adequate attention.
9.
Mangroves. Mangroves, locally known as sundarban or peraban, play a vital role in the
national economy of Bangladesh. Besides, being a source of different renewable resources, they also
serve as buffer zones against the cyclones and tidal surges. The Bangladesh coast supports about
587,400 ha of natural mangroves and a further 100,000 ha of planted mangroves. The densest
mangroves block, the Sundarbans (beautiful forest), is situated in the southwest mostly in Khulna
District, where it covers 577,040 ha (FAO. 1984), one third of this area is tidal channels. It is not only
the largest single forest resource in the country but also the largest single compact mangrove resource
in the world. The Sundarbans represent a complex estuarine ecosystem dominated by dense forest
cover and subject to periodical tidal inundations. The structure and composition of the Sundarbans are
maintained by a strong salinity gradient extending from the freshwater environment of the northeast to
the saline environment of the southwest. In mangrove areas, trees reach a height of upto 20 m, but the
main canopy is at about 10 m. The Chakaria Sundarbans, situated in the Matamuhari River delta in the
Cox’s Bazar District is another mangrove tract. It has an area of 8,540 ha and has recently been
degraded. Another mangrove forest area is a narrow belt fringing the Naaf River estuary and the
offshore islands. It occupies roughly 1,800 ha.
10.
Afforestation.
An attempts in some areas (e.g. Patharghata in Patuakhali, Kukrimukri in
Barisal and south Hatia in Noakhali) led to faster stable formations around the nucleus forest. From
1966, when plantation programs commenced, to date, mangroves have been raised in about 100,000
ha. along the coast . Mangrove plantations in the different coastal districts of Bangladesh (particularly in
the central region) are a recent but important attempt to improve the nation’s forest cover. Afforestation
in the coastal areas commenced on a modest scale in 1966 with the planting of seedlings on the slopes
of embankments under the jurisdiction of the Water Development Boards. The success of the planting
has led to other coastal afforestation programs with World Bank assistance from 1980. These have the
following objectives:
a.
To accelerate the process of siltation and stabilization of soil
b.
To create forest buffer belts to protect inland life and property from extreme events, like
cyclones and tidal surges
c.
To create urgently needed resources to add to the national wealth
d.
To create job opportunities for rural communities
e.
To create a healthy environment for wildlife, fish and other fauna.
The natural Sundarbans vegetation is composed of halophytic tree species dominated by Sundri
(Heritierafomes), Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), Goran (Ceriops decandra) and Keora (Sonneratia
apetala). In the coastal afforestation areas, the most widely planted species are Keora (Sonneratia
apetala), Bayen (Avicennia officinalis), Sada Bayen (A. alba) and Kankra (Burguiere gyrnnori:a). Other
species include Acacia arabica and A. catechu in the higher lands (along the coastal embankments)
and Golpata (Nypafruticans) in new accretions and lower areas along the embankments. The densely
forested swampy islands are the home of a variety of animals, ranging from large mammals including
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tiger, deer and monkeys, to innumerable mud crabs, which, although common at the water’s edge, can
also be found throughout the intertidal zones. The Sundarbans harbour a number of species classified
by the World Wide Fund for Nature and the International Union for Conservation and Natural
Resources as endangered species. Its vast network is inhabited by at least four species of dolphins, the
salt water crocodile Crocodyluspoposus and many other reptiles, several amphibians and numerous
species of shell and finfish. The mangroves are exploited for a wide range of forest products such as
sawn timber, fuelwood and wood for making pulp, safety matches, hardboard and bailingboard. Golpata
(Nypafruticans), Hental (Phoenix paludosa) leaves and Hudo (tiger fern) are also used as thatching
materials. The probable direct employment is likely to be in the range of a minimum of 500,000 600,000 people during one half of the year, whilst the organized industrial sector employment is likely to
be of the order 10,000. The four major animal products obtained from the Sundarbans are fish, honey,
bees-wax and mollusc shells. Many small-scale or subsistence capture fisheries also exist in the
mangrove estuaries. Unfortunately, records of these are scant. However, about 200,000 people are
engaged in these fisheries and their annual average catch is about 7200 tons, representing
approximately one per cent of the yearly total national capture fisheries production.
11.
Coral Reefs. St. Martin’s Island is the only coral reef island in Bangladesh. Locally known as
Jinjiradwip, this gradually decaying island is about 10 km south of the mainland. It is about 8 km long in
an approximate north-south direction and has a maximum width of 1.6 km. Its area is a little over 7.5
squre km. There is little information on Bangladeshi offshore coral. A total of 66 coral species were
recorded, of which 19 are fossil coral, 36 living coral and the rest is under 6 families of sub class
Octocorallia (soft coral).
12.
Seagrass.
Information on the existence of seagrass beds is also lacking. Nevertheless,
Halodule uninervis has been reported from the sandy littoral zone around St. Martin’s Island. Usually, in
Bangladesh, the seafronts of newly-formed islands as well as some low-lying coastal areas are often
carpeted with seagrass. A total of 14 species of algae were recorded from the St. Martin’s Island. There
is an estimated amount of 1500 MT red sea weed bio-mass available around the St. Martin Island but
extensive taxonomic study in this regard is not still conducted.
13.
Beaches. Most beaches on the coast of Bangladesh are either sandy or muddy and are
backed by either Casuarinas plantations or agricultural lands. A long sandy beach about 145 kms in
length runs from Cox’s Bazar to the tip of the Teknaf Peninsula. There are also beaches at Patenga
(near Chittagong), Banskhali, Kuakata (Patuakhali) and on offshore islands like Kutubdia, Maiskhali and
St. Martin’s Island (Jinjiradwip).
14.
Islands. The river system which carries an enormous quantity of silt empties through the
coastal zone into the Bay of Bengal and results in the formation of a large number of temporary and
permanent islands called chars. Almost all the islands are deltaic in origin - except Maiskhali and St.
Martin’s Island. About 30% of Maiskhali’s total area (653 square km) is occupied by hills covered with
mixed evergreen forest but this is now largely degraded. Sandwip and Kutubdia are large islands lying
off the Chittagong coast.
15.
Offshore Waters.
Following the declaration of an EEZ, with a 200 nautical mile limit,
Bangladesh now avails of a sizable offshore area in the Bay of Bengal. More than 140,860 square km
is under national economic and management jurisdiction. Moreover, as per UNCLOS–III, Bangladesh
also established rights on Continental Shelf which is beyond EEZ (up to 350 nautical mile from base
line, to be ascertained in future) and subsequently, entered in the High Seas i.e. ABNJ as common
heritage and mankind. This entitles the country to maintain exclusive rights over the abiotic resources
within this limit. The oceanography of the Bay of Bengal particularly that of Bangladesh’s offshore
waters, is dominated by three main factors: wind direction, precipitations and river discharge. These are
also related to the monsoons, but intensified by the fact that major river systems in India, Bangladesh
and Myanmar empty into the Bay of Bengal. These factors have a strong influence on the marine
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environment affecting water circulation, salinity, turbidity, productivity and the nature of bottom. Fish
distribution and migration are in turn, influenced by these reactions. The Southwest Monsoon,
characterized by a hot humid air mass blowing from the Bay of Bengal from May through
August/September is responsible for roughly 80% of the total annual rainfall in Bangladesh. The
Northeast Monsoon blows from November through March/April drawing cool, dry air from the
continental areas. Between these two monsoons, that is, during the transition periods-winds are
unstable and changes direction and often causing cyclones. The seasonal changes to the Northeast
and Southwest Monsoons bring about a complete reversal of surface current patterns in the Bay of
Bengal. They become clockwise from January to July and counter-clockwise from August to December,
following the direction of wind. Three of the main subcontinent’s rivers - the Ganga, Brahmaputra and
Meghna - drain vast areas of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Himalayas. These rivers and their
tributaries, converging in Bangladesh, carry approximately 85% of the total water volume which is
flushed from the country into the Bay of Bengal. The discharges show distinct seasonal fluctuations,
with extreme values reaching 1,95,000 m3/s in the monsoon period, obviously as a result of melting
snow precipitation in the Himalaya. The rivers clearly supply a huge quantity of water (some 1100 km3
annually) which dilutes the surface waters of the northern part of the Bay. These can plummet as low
as riverine water conditions during the post-monsoon season (September and October) and come near
to estuarine conditions prevailing in January through June. During flooding, the rivers also transport
massive amounts of suspended sediment loads-of the order of 13 million ton/day-into the Bay of
Bengal; most of the suspended sediment (80-90%) is transported during the monsoon season. This is
calculated at some 1500 million tons of which only a small portion is deposited on to the flood plains or
in the lower delta; most of it is flushed out towards the deeper parts of the Bay.
Fishery Resources of Bangladesh
16.
Role of Fisheries in Bangladesh Economy. The fisheries sector (both inland and marine)
plays a vital role in the national economy in terms’ of income-generation, employment opportunities and
nutrition. Fishery resources play a vital role in the economy of Bangladesh (3.7% of GDP). It not only
plays an important role as a resource of animal protein (58%) but also provides employment (9%) to its
population and is the second most important source of the total foreign exchange earning (±7%).
Details are given at Encloser 3 to 7.
17.
The Estuarine and Nearshore Fishery. Traditionally, coastal and riverine fishermen,
accustomed to using traditional sail and small mechanized boats (9-14 m long with 15-45 HP diesel
engines), are active in this fishery. Set bagnets, gillnets and seines are the main fishing gears. Fishing
efforts are restricted to estuaries and shallow coastal waters up to about 30 m. The fish biodiversity
here is mainly exploited by small-scale or subsistence level fisher folk. Data on the estuarine and neritic
water fisheries is scarce; however, about 95% of Bangladesh’s marine fishery production is contributed
by this sector. Until now, bagda shrimp, Penaeus monodon post-larvae, are the only fry used to stock
the coastal brackishwater ponds. Recently, however, with demand increases, intense and wide scale
macro zooplankton fishing has also been undertaken in the estuaries and nearshore waters.
18.
The Offshore Fishery. Offshore trawl fishing-a relatively new development in Bangladesh,
gained momentum from 1974. Marine fish production from offshore trawling during the last few years
has been increased manifold. Details are given at Encloser. It is noteworthy that these production
figures do not represent actual catches in offshore waters. Thus, as much as 90-95% of the national
marine fishery production is due to the traditional sector; that is, artisanal fisheries operating in
estuaries and neritic waters, as mentioned earlier. The principal fish species are Hilsa (shad), Bombay
Duck, Ribbonfish, Round Scad, Spanish Mackerel, Catfish, Threadfin, Croaker, Pomfret, Eel, Red
Snapper, Grunter, Shark, Ray and Shrimp. Several fishing grounds were identified, but it appears that
greater attention was paid to demersal resources particularly finfish. The standing stock of finfish has in
three recent surveys been estimated as being 160,000 t, 152,000 t and 157,000 t. Several reports
indicate standing penaeid shrimp stock, but these contain substantial estimate variations, ranging
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between 1000 and 9000 tons (Khan and Haque, 1988). Apart from shrimp, pelagic resources, such as
tuna, mackerel, sardine and cephalopods etc., are still untapped in Bangladesh’s offshore waters.
Neither has the standing stock been assessed. Minor quantities of these resources are, however,
caught as Hilsa by-catch by the drift gillnetters active in the neritic and coastal waters up to depths of
40 meters. The marine pelagic resources of Bangladesh are tuna and tuna-like fish-sardine, herring,
shad, scad and the so-called unconventional marine resources including shark and cephalopods.
19.
Culture Fishery.
Frozen food is next to jute and jute goods in national exports. It contributes
about 14% of Bangladesh’s foreign exchange earnings. About 85 per cent of the freezing industry’s
production is shrimp. A significant portion (about 24%) of this originates from coastal brackishwater
aquaculture which favored by climate and several physical factors is growing at a rapid pace in
Bangladesh. But this growth also possess environmental challenges and socioeconomic concerns.
Shrimp farming in bheries, ghers or ghonas in the coastal area is traditional practice. But the rapid
expansion in the coastal brackishwater areas in recent years has led to an exponential increase in
production. The coastal shrimp farming area has increased from about 20,000 ha in 1980 to about
2,40,000 ha at present. Shrimp yields from the coastal aquaculture ponds are, however, very low: about
240 kg/ha/year. The shrimp farms are primarily located in Bagerhat, Satkhira, Khulna and Cox’s Bazar.
In addition, there are about 422 ha in Keshabpur Upazila of Jessore, 43 ha in Kalapara Upazilla of
Patuakhali, and 87 ha in Anowara and Banskhali Upazillas of Chittagong. The average farm is about 28
ha in extent. Four traditional styles are followed in shrimp farming (Mahmood, 1988): Salt production
together with shrimp and finfish culture; round the year shrimp and finfish culture; bheri culture; and
monoculture of bagda shrimp (Penaeus monodon). The indiscriminate expansion of this farming,
instead of planned development ensuring extensive, semi-intensive or intensive farming, has given rise
to many socioeconomic and environmental problems in coastal areas.
Endangering the Marine Habitats in Bangladesh
20.
General Comments.
Environmental concerns such as pollution, ecological imbalance,
environmental protection etc. are comparatively new concepts in Bangladesh. As environmental
concerns became accepted worldwide, Bangladesh too became more aware of the degradation caused
by natural and man-made pollution and the necessity for proper environment conservation if
sustainable development was to be reached. Marine environment was no exception. National experts,
development planners and Government authorities first became conscious of the dangers to the marine
environment in 1979, when a national seminar on ‘Protection of the Marine Environment and the
Related Ecosystem’ was held in Dhaka under the joint sponsorship of UN/ESCAP, the Swedish
Environment Protection Service (SEPS) and the National Department of Environment Pollution Control.
Flood Control Dykes and river dams have also affected the marine fisheries ecosystem. Furthermore,
the irrational expansion of coastal shrimp farming at the cost of mangrove forests and overfishing has
exacerbated an already precarious situation. Overall ecological degradation reduced tidal plains and
damage to the habitual nursery grounds as well as the natural fishery stocks has been the immediate
result. The consequences of pollutants, periodic cyclones, tidal surges and the long-term effects of sea
level rise due to the global greenhouse effect are likely concerns in the long-term.
21.
Water Resources Development Activities. Water resources development projects, like the
Flood Control and Drainage (FCD) and Flood Control, Drainage and Irrigation (FCDI) programs,
closures across rivers, obstruction of water for irrigation, diversion of channels etc. have been
implemented in Bangladesh from the early 1960s to make the country flood-free as well as to increase
food grain production. But these projects, though proving beneficial to food grain production and
providing protection from periodic floods and cyclones, have produced adverse effects on the aquatic
ecosystem affecting the production both in terms of quantity and species diversity. The effects can be
seen in freshwater as well as brackishwater fisheries in inland open water habitats, such as estuaries,
rivers, canals, flood plains and beels (deep depressions), which become components of a single,
integrated fishery production system during the monsoon (wet) season. Up to the end of the Third Five6
Year Plan period (June, 1990), about 3.36 million ha of flood plains that used to get inundated were
protected by FCD with over 7000 km of embankment and other constructions. 31% of the total floodprotected area is now under the Coastal Embankment Project (CEP), located in the estuarine and
coastal areas. The CEP includes about 3700 kms of embankments and 900 hydraulic sluices to prevent
shallow saline water flooding and protect the area from tidal surges. These embankments and other
obstructions however, have reduced the flood plains and inhibited fish movement and migration for
breeding and feeding. It has been estimated that nearly 815,000 ha of flood plains had been removed
from the open water fishery production system until 1985, and a further 2 million ha of currently floodprone land would be rendered flood-free by the year 2005. Thus, by the year 2000, an estimated
110,000 t of fish harvest may be lost every year (MPO, 1985). This includes not only the freshwater
catch (e.g. carp), but also the estuarine and marine euryhaline species (e.g. mullet, Hilsa etc.) as well
as freshwater prawn (e.g. the giant freshwater prawn) which live in both environments during the
different phases of their life cycles. However, extensive studies are yet to be done to quantify the
irreversible loss to this sector.
22.
Coastal Embankments. In the southern districts of Bangladesh, the low-lying lands on both
sides of the tidal rivers and canals have traditionally been inundated by brackishwater during high tides.
Such inundated areas act as temporary nursery and feeding grounds for the larvae and juveniles of
many estuarine and marine shrimp and finfish. From the 1960s, embankments constructed to protect
the land from saline water inundation have permanently eliminated these nurseries and feeding
grounds for marine and estuarine fish as well as shrimp. The construction of coastal embankments also
brought to an end the traditional practice of brackishwater shrimp and fish culture during dry months
and alternated in the wet season with rice cultivation in the Khulna region, particularly in Sathkira
District. Brackishwater shrimp and fish farming is now being undertaken by cutting the embankments,
which makes the polders especially vulnerable to cyclones. This practice has also given rise to conflicts
in respect of land use rights.
23.
River Closures and Barrages. River closures and barrages across rivers obstruct upstream
and downstream have restricted fish and prawn migration and thereby inhibit or disrupt their
reproduction and sustenance. For example, the closure of the Kumar River, both at its source from the
Rivers Kaliganga and Nabaganga, under the Ganges- Kobadak project, has cut off Hilsa migration from
the sea via the Nabaganga River to the Padma River through the Kumar River. As a consequence, the
Hilsa fishery of moderate magnitude that existed in the Kumar River is no more. The Hilsa fishery in the
Ganges River, both in Bangladesh and India has declined due to blockages of its upstream migration
path by the Farakka Barrage reported that after the completion of the Farakka Barrage in 1973, Hilsa
availability declined by 99%. Plans for the construction of barrages across the Ganges and
Brahmaputra Rivers within Bangladesh for water diversion are in the pipeline. Such schemes would
eliminate the spawning migration of anadromous and catadromous fish and prawns. It is also
anticipated that the Hilsa population would not only decrease in the rivers but also in the sea. In
addition, the catadromous migration of giant freshwater prawn and other such species would be
detrimentally affected by the barrages - their breeding and return migratory patterns at risk.
24.
Destruction of Mangrove Forests.
Bangladesh’s 5,77,040 ha of mangroves protect the
coast from storm surges and cyclones and provide habitats and nurseries to numerous wildlife and
fishery resources. Many small-scale or subsistence capture fisheries exist in the mangrove estuaries
and swamps. Unfortunately, the mangroves, overexploited by an increasing population growth and
greater demand for forest products are at a point of severe depletion. Ecological changes caused by
biotic and edaphic factors as well as the horizontal expansion of shrimp farming have further
exacerbated the situation. It is estimated that the standing volume of the two main commercial species
of the Sundarbans (Sundri - Heritiera fomes - and Gewa - Excoecaria agallocha) declined by 40-50%
between 1959 to 1983. This has been due to a local salinity increase as a consequence of the reduced
river flows, following the completion of dams, barrages and embankments, as well as over-filling. Many
areas within the Khulna, Barisal, Patuakhali and Chittagong Districts that once were covered by
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mangrove forests have since been given over to other land usage. Today, the Khulna and Chakaria
Sundarbans are the only two compact mangrove tracts left intact. Natural calamities, such as cyclones
and tidal waves, cause some damage to these forests along the sea. But the worst form of destruction
in the Chakaria Sundarbans located in the Matamuhari River estuary in Chittagong District, has been
as a result of irrational and unplanned shrimp farming expansion since the late 1970s. Once the
Chakaria Sundarbans were covered by dense mangroves and 8,510 ha enjoyed the status of a forest
reserve. After 1977, more than 50% of the mangroves were cleared for preparation of shrimp ponds.
Now, only a small patch of forest remains in the interior as a testament to the past. Recently, the small
fringes of natural mangroves on the bank of the Naaf River and the beautiful Keora (Sonneratia
apetala) forest on Jaliardwip Island have also been cleared for conversion to shrimp ponds. The
southern part of the Khulna region comprises the Sundarbans reserve, where shrimp farming is not
permitted, but, recently, a few fish and shrimp farms have been established on the borders of the
reserve (FAO, 1984) and encroachment is likely before long. The ecological importance of the
Matamuhari river estuary of Chakaria after a recent investigation. The highly productive fisheries found
in the coastal and offshore waters of Bangladesh might be linked with mangrove proliferation on the
shoreline. Rich fishing grounds in shelf areas are usually found off dense coastal mangrove forests.
The degradation of these mangrove ecosystems would have adverse effects on the nurseries and
feeding grounds for marine and freshwater fish and shrimp as well as on the nearshore and offshore
fisheries. If the present trend continues, it is bound to lead to a reduction in offshore stocks of shrimp
and other finfish.
25.
Overfishing.
Small-scale and artisanal fisherfolk operating in estuaries and neritic waters
have been overexploiting shrimp post-larvae, juveniles and pre-adults as well as finfish to meet the
increasing demands of export and a burgeoning population.
26.
Artisanal Fishery. According to a frame survey in 1984-85, the coastal and estuarine fishing
population includes 70,000 households and 124,000 fishermen spread over 869 villages in Greater
Chittagong (i.e. Cox’s Bazaar and Chittagong), Noakhali, Barisal, Patuakhali and Khulna Districts. The
fishery resources are exploited by traditional craft and motorired boats which operate marine and
estuarinc Set Bag Nets (SBN), the behundi jal, gillnets, trammelnets, longlines etc. Among these gear,
the estuarine SBN is the most popular. The SBN fishery is distributed throughout the country, active in
channels, estuaries and tributaries and wherever else the brackishwater environment prevails. The
SBNs are operated from less than 05 metres to an approximate 20 metre zone in neritic waters. This is
a very effective gear; it catches juveniles and undersized shrimp and finfish as well as planktonic
shrimp - Acetes spp. it has, however, been identified as a risk to overall biological sustenance. At the
cod end, its mesh size varies from 5 to 18 mm. Other fisheries have a limited distribution. The marine
SBN is operated only during the dry season and only in certain areas, such as Sonadia Island, Dubla
Island and Mohipur. The trammelnet is operated only in the neritic waters of Teknaf and Cox’s Bazar.
27.
Shrimp Seed Collection.
The rapid expansion of the coastal aquaculture areas in
Bangladesh, coupled with the recent trend towards shrimp monoculture has resulted in a tremendous
demand for the seed of tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. But with the paucity of shrimp hatcheries,
collecting P. monodon post-larvae (PL) from estuaries and nearshore waters has attracted thousands
of coastal fisherfolk, causing immense destruction of nontarget species and damage to nursing
grounds. Mahmood (1990) has estimated the total fry collectors to be about 75,000 during peak
periods, between mid-February and mid- March. But there are also estimates double that and more
(BOBP, 1990). In general, marine shrimp and many fish commonly follow a diadromous life cycle
involving migration between the sea and the estuary. As a part of this cycle, the post-larvae are carried
by the tide (planktonic migration) towards the shallow, estuarine mangrove areas of Satkhira, Khulna
and Chakaria, as well as to nearshore waters of the southern and south-eastern part of the country the Kutubdia, Banskhali, Maiskhali, Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf coasts. In most of these areas, fry collector
catch the wild fry by SBN and pushnets made of nylon mosquito mesh. In order to capture a single
bagda shrimp fry, 14 other Shrimp 0.84% shrimp and 21 finfish post-larvae as well as over 1600 other
8
zooplankton are wasted. This colossal loss of shrimp and finfish resources at the planktonic stage is
bound to have adverse effects on the off-shore and inland stocks. Today, fry collectors and local fisher
folk repeatedly mention the decreasing zooplankton, shrimp and finfish fry. Mass-fry collection is also
proving a threat to the coastal ecosystem, causing damage to the nursing grounds of many species,
and to newly planted mangroves as well as the reserve forests. As most of the seed-collectors are
illiterate and not environmentally conscious, they are not aware of the ultimate effects of their actions.
28.
Marine Pollution. Marine pollution has become a serious problem all over the world and is
getting aggravated in the developing countries. Polluting seawater is harmful to living resources and
marine life; it hazards human health, hindrance to marine activities including fishing and other legitimate
use of the sea. Oil pollution is a potential threat to the marine environment. Generally 50% of the oil
pollution in the maritime environment comes from urban activities and international oil tanker’s routes in
the southern Bay of Bengal. Moreover industrial wastes, municipal wastes and agricultural wastes are
also the sources of pollution.
29.
Natural Disasters. Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country. Nearly one million people have
been killed in Bangladesh by cyclones since 1820. An estimated 10% of the world’s cyclones
developed in the Indial Ocean. The phonograph morphology and other natural conditions have made
her vulnerable to disasters and environmental hazards. The natural disasters are very devastating,
often causing immense suffering and damage to people, property and threat to the environment,
Approximately, 51 damaging cyclones were reported in the coastal area of Bangladesh from 1793 to
May 2013. Thus cyclone frequency during this period is averaged about once in every 4.5 years. For
example during 1997 the total economic impact of the cyclone was US $ 2.4 to 4.0 billion.
Turning the Tide-Conditions and Actions Taken
30.
Current Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Statistics in Brief. At present, the coastal fauna of
Bangladesh are a total 453 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and 8 amphibian
species. A total of 301 pieces of mollusks and over 50 species of commercially important crustaceans
and 76 species fish from estuarine have been recorded so far in the coastal zone. Among the
endangered species are five mammals, 25 birds, 14 reptiles (one crocodile, eight turtles, four lizards
and one snake) and two amphibians (frogs). The marine waters of Bangladesh are also having 475
species of fish36 species of marine shrimps. About 336 species of mollusks, covering 151 genera have
been identified. In addition, 3 lobsters and 7 species of turtles and tortoises, 168 species of seaweeds,
3 sponges, 16 crabs, 10 frogs, 3 crocodiles, 24 snakes, 3 otters, 1 porcupine, 9 dolphins and 3 species
of whale found in Bangladesh territorial water. Among the marine and migratory species of animals, 4
fishes, 5 reptiles, 6 birds, and 3 mammals are threatened.
31.
Government’s General Attempts.
Bangladesh has high diversity of species and has also
quite a diverse ecosystem. As for example the country has tiger, elephant, Ganges dolphin, White
winged Wood Duck, Palass’s fishing Eagle, Python, river Terrapin which are globally threatened
species. Government has been working for conservation of these species along with their habitats
since emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country. International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) Bangladesh Country Office has prepared Red Data Book of animals. Government
undertook small initiatives with the cooperation of IUCN Bangladesh Country Office and Bangladesh
National Biodiversity Group for generation of knowledge for conservation of the high profile and
threatened biodiversity of the country. Under the program of Waterfowl Census, Bangladesh shares
with the regional program and count waterfowls in the major wetland sites of the country in the month of
January and February every year. Recently, faunal survey has been completed in five ecologically
critical areas – namely St. Martins Island, Himchari Coastal Belt, Tanguar Haor, Baind Tract and
Chalan Beel. National Herbarium has also conducted floral survey in these areas.
9
32.
Government’s Legal Attempts. As a means to conserve biodiversity in situ condition,
Bangladesh has three acts in which there are provisions for conservation of biodiversity through
creation of Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park, Game Reserve, Fish Sanctuary and Ecological Critical
Area (ECA). So far, Bangladesh has established 8 wildlife sanctuaries, 5 national parks and 1 game
reserve under the provisions of the Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1973; and seven ECAs
under the Bangladesh Environment Act, 1995. Fish sanctuary is established under the Bangladesh Fish
Act, 1950 for seasonal protection of fishes, and their habitats. In respect to delivering solutions for
livelihood security associated with various stakeholders, following strategic plan and different activities
are also being implemented:
a.
Sustainable Seafood and Livelihoods from Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Increased export revenues can arise from the sustainable management of wild-capture
fisheries. The FAO and World Bank “Sunken Billions” report (2009) identifies global marine
capture fisheries as an underperforming global asset. The report concludes that 75% of the
world’s fisheries underperformed in 2004, mainly due to overexploitation. The lost potential
revenue is estimated at US$ 50 billion annually. Over a 30 years period up to 2004, this
amounted to a loss of approximately US$ 2 trillion. According to the report, “through
comprehensive reform, the fisheries sector could become a basis for economic growth and the
creation of alternative livelihoods in many countries. At the same time, a nation’s natural capital
in the form of fish stocks could be greatly increased and the negative impacts of the fisheries on
the marine environment reduced. To overcome underperformance, Government of Bangladesh
has taken some short term and mid-term fishing policy from distant water issuing fishing
licenses for mid-water, purse seining, long-lining and squid jigging to tripling the present marine
landings by year 2021 along with creation of substantial number of employment opportunities.
Beside this, certified wild capture fish and processed fish products to ensure certified and
ecolabelled fish trading in export market. As a policy stakeholder, MoFL is receiving generous
support from DoF, MFA, BFRI and BFDC. In response to IUU fishing, MoFL is preparing a draft
action plan for cabinet approval.
b.
Critical Coastal Habitat and Biodiversity Protection.
Bangladesh has signed,
ratified, accepted and acceded to CITES, World Heritage Convention, Ramsar Convention,
CBD, Climate Change Convention and Convention to Combat Desertification. Thus it adheres
and commit to the conservation of biodiversity and the environment. Bangladesh faces the Bay
of Bengal in the south and has international border with India in the west, north and northeast;
and Myanmar in the southeast. It has also very similar biodiversity both in ecosystem and
species with the above two countries. Till date Bangladesh counld not able to identify any issue
in respect of constraints of biodiversity conservation. However, Government signed agreement
with India for sharing of Ganges water. Recently, process is on to develop common approach
for conservation of Sundarbans, particularly the World Heritage Sites of the Sundarbans of both
part of Bangladesh and India. Bangladesh has initiated the preparation of Biodiversity
Strategies and Action Plan (BSAP) for conservation of biodiversity in Bangladesh under the
sponsorship of the GEF and has prepared National Conservation Strategy (NCS) and the
National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP). Both NCS and NEMAP contain
national strategy and national program for conservation of sites important from biodiversity
consideration.
c.
Pollution Reduction Strategies. The 2011 edition of the United Nations Environment
Program Year Book identifies as the main emerging environmental issues about the loss to the
oceans of massive amounts of phosphorus, a valuable fertilizer needed to feed a growing
global population", and the impact of billions of pieces of plastic waste injures the health of
marine environment. Bjorn Jennssen (2003) has notes in his article, “Anthropogenic pollution
may reduce biodiversity and productivity of marine ecosystems resulting in reduction and
10
depletion of human marine food resources”. There are two levels of this ways to mitigate
pollution: either the human population is reduced, or a way is found to reduce the ecological
footprint left behind by the average human. If the second way is not adopted, then the first way
may be imposed as world ecosystems falter. The second way is for human individually-to
pollute less. That requires social and political will, together with a shift in awareness, so more
people respect the environment and are less disposed to abuse it. At an operational level,
regulations, and international Government participation is needed. It is often very difficult to
regulate marine pollution because pollution spreads over international barriers, thus making
regulations hard to create as well as enforce. However, international efforts through MARPOL
1983 and UNCLOSE-III are remarkable. To overcome the problem, Government is working to
educate coastal communities on environmental awareness through mass media especially
broadcast drama in electronic media; and the initial output is quite appreciable.
Deductions
33.
The livelihoods and economic benefits derived from the oceans are also valued by many
means. The oceans are the primary means of trade to and from the rest of the world. Economic
benefits from the ocean will arise from the drive to add greater value to natural endowments. A
significant proportion of individual and collective wealth is derived from the oceans through the seafood
industry, tourism, petroleum and minerals. Throughout the world, there is a significant movement of
populations and economic activities to the coastal areas, which have made exploitation of oceanic
resources and preservation of the marine environment an increasing priority for all the nations. Our
land-man ratio being the lowest in the world, we can no longer sustain pressures for food, shelter,
energy and other necessary commodities. Hence we are bound to show a positive respect to our
adjacent ocean which is rich in enormous unexplored living and non-living resources. Moreover, the
ratification of the UNCLOS III by Bangladesh has ushered a new opportunity of maritime jurisdiction
along with new rights and responsibilities.
34.
A comprehensive policy will reflect and be responsive to the inter-connections between the air,
sea and land and to the physical and biological dynamics of the ocean and along the coastline. Ocean
living resources, the ecosystems they form, and the ecological processes they mediate, provide
immense benefits to human society. Increasingly, these resources and their benefits are threatened by
human activities. Fishing, waste disposal and runoff, coastal development, and invasions of exotic
species have led to world wide declines in marine species and the integrity of marine ecosystems,
particularly coastal ecosystems. The issues raised are the heart of our shared concern for our marine
environment. The development of the policy will enable us to use, conserve and protect our ocean. It
will draw on the marine industry development strategy and will be supported by the marine science and
technology plan. A comprehensive policy has the potential to be a powerful force for change and lead
us into a better future as a healthy society supported by a healthy sea.
35.
A coherent and consistent regulatory framework and a strong national infrastructure will be
required to facilitate the continuation of existing sectors’ contributions and the realization of new
opportunities. These measures should be pursued by all concerned maritime agencies and stakeholders across ocean sectors consistent with planning and management principles. Hence all the
sector and industries like fisheries, aquaculture, offshore hydrocarbon, environment, shipping and
shipbuilding, port development and tourism would have to provide positive responses against the
challenges. But the main challenge of the policy will be to improve the managerial and technical skill of
the people, to develop community understanding and awareness of the general mass. Since the policy
will have strong international connotation, guidelines should also be given in identifying the common
areas for regional cooperation with our friendly neighbors. In reality, it is the right time for our
Government, to be forward looking and formulate an Ocean Act before the problems of the ocean
become obstinate and before missing any other opportunities and that might put heavy tolls to our
national economies.
11
36.
The fisheries resources in Bangladesh are critical to the national economy and livelihoods of
millions of poor people. Fish provides a major source of essential dietary nutrients in most households
and substantial employment. Due to natural condition and geographical location Bangladesh offers
huge fisheries resources with the potential to boost fisheries production. The country’s fisheries
resources are divided into two major groups such as inland (fresh water) fisheries and marine fisheries.
Inland fisheries occupy an area of 4.58 million hectares (ha) and marine capture covers 1, 66,000
square km. The potential of the inland fishery of Bangladesh is considered to be one of the highest
among the inland fisheries of the world. Out of 4.05 million ha of open water fisheries, the flood-plains
with an area of 2.8 million ha offer tremendous scope and potential for augmenting fish production by
adopting the aquaculture-based enhancement techniques. These water bodies are considerably
underutilized in terms of managed aquatic productivity. As open water fisheries resources are still in
infancy and offer enough scope for fish production through adoption of appropriate fisheries
management techniques in a sustainable way. The inundated lands are rich in nutrients and natural fish
food and thus are excellent feeding, breeding and nursery grounds for fish and other aquatic
organisms. This is reflected in higher biological productivity offering tremendous scope for augmenting
culture and capture fisheries in Bangladesh. Thus Bangladesh urgently requests the assistance from
international development partners and institutions to cooperate following issues:
a.
To carryout survey of marine resources in newly acquired maritime zone by ITLOS to
discovery new fishing zones
b.
To seek International cooperation for assessing environmental health and ocean
acidification
c.
To identify critical habitats and process of lost habitat restoration programs
d.
To identify new value added fishery products, their potential markets and reduce post
harvest loss
e.
To setup institutional linkage among the fisheries institutions to establish a national data
bank on fisheries resources with habitat and endangered habitat restoration process. etc.
Conclusion
37.
Healthy oceans are essential for global food security, livelihoods and economic growth. The
oceans cover some 72 per cent of the Earth's surface, and are both an engine for global economic
growth and a key source of food security. The world faces one of the biggest challenges of the 21st
century: how to feed 9 billion people by 2050 in the face of climate change, economic and financial
uncertainty and the growing competition for natural resources. These multiple challenges require an
integrated response and an urgent transition of the world economy towards a sustainable, inclusive and
resource efficient path. Ocean health and productivity must be at the heart of global efforts to eradicate
poverty, strengthen food security and build resistance to climate change.
38.
For the first time, with a view to improving food security, eradicating poverty and delivering
shared prosperity, global leaders, ocean practitioners, scientists, and representatives from
Government, business, civil society and international organizations will come together to explore actionoriented partnerships, governance arrangements, investment frameworks and new financing vehicles to
turn the tide on the health of oceans. The Government of the Netherlands, in close collaboration with
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Bank and the
Governments of Grenada, Indonesia, Mauritius, Norway, the United States of America, is pleased to
announce that this Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth will now take
place in The Hague, The Netherlands from 22 to 25 April, 2014 at the World Forum conference center.
39.
Bangladesh is the home of world’s largest contigious mangrove ecosystem bounded by the
Bay of which supports the potential fishing grounds of the country within EEZ. The country possess
12
about 2,66,000 square km sea areas where only 1,66,000 square km areas is used for exploitation of
sea resources (fishing, mining, oil and gas, tourism). Ecosystem services (goods and services) of this
region provide livelihoods and food for millions of people, energy and other environmental services.
Oceans-supported fisheries products generate significant revenue to most coastal communities. It
provides and supports employment opportunities across ethnicity and supplies a vital of animal
protein to food-deficit communities. Bangladesh also dominates fish producing sector representing
main fish producers in SAARC and BIMSTEC countries.
40.
Bangladesh is also facing the difficulty feeding its people as demand for food expands rapidly
but the earth’s condition affects by climate change. Because of these pressures, food prices have
been rising since the 2000s. High and volatile food prices are eroding the purchasing power of
households-especially of poor ones, which spend up to 70% of their budgets on food—and are thus
undermining recent gains in poverty reduction. The impact of higher food prices may possesses
severe treats to the people since Bangladesh is dreaming to become a mid-income level earning
country within 2021. To combat price hiking of essential foods, Government has taken some long- and
short term strategies to ensure food security and bolster efforts at poverty reduction. Finally,
discussing on the marine environment of Bangladesh, resources therein, threat to marine habitats and
Government’s look to combat those; this paper endorses some viable recommodations.
Recommendations
41.
The recommendations are as follows:
a.
The Bangladesh Ocean Act may be enacted.
b.
Proposed Marine Affair Division may be formed.
c.
The Ocean Policy for Bangladesh may be formulated as soon as possible.
d.
Maritime Cadre Service has to be incorporated in all levels for national interest in the
ocean related matters.
e.
Efforts may be made to generate public opinion in favor of the Ocean Policy by growing
the maritime awareness of the common people.
f.
All out efforts may be made for promoting regional and global cooperation in various
sectors of Ocean Policy and Maritime Resource Management.
g.
The Government may take step to expose ocean issues in the Secondary School
Curriculum.
h.
The Government may take necessary steps to make the National Oceanography
Research Institute functional.
j.
Efforts may be made at the Government level to invite Swedish Centre for Coastal
Development and Management of Aquatic Resources (SWEDMAR) for reassessment of the
environment of the Bay of Bengal region (Like previous BOBP/REP/67).
Encloser:
1.
10 Pages of Bulletin-National Fish Week 2013 Compendium (In Bengali).
13
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
1.
Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries-Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) Rome, 1995
2.
The Journal of Noami- Vol. 6, by Dr. Dipak Kanti Das.
3.
Fishery Statistical Bulletin of Southeast ASIA 2011-Southeast Asian Fisheies Development
Center-July 2013.
4.
The Journal of Noami-Vol. 10 no. 1, June 1993-by Prof. M. Monowar Hosain.
5.
The Journal of Noami- Vol. 4, by Dr. Dipak Kanti Das.
6.
The Journal of Noami-Vol. 11 no. 1, June 1994-by Prof. M. Monowar Hosain.
7.
Great Fishing Great Country-Malaysia Truly Asia. By Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism.
8.
Fish for the People-Volume 11 Number 2:2013 by Southeat Asian Fisheries Development
Cernter.
9.
The Law of the Sea, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS-III). United
Nations, New York, 1983.
Articles
10.
Sayed, Commodore Yahia, (C), ndc, afwc, psc, BN, Ocean policy for Bangladesh-A vision for
21st centrury.
11.
W.Chan Kim andRenee, Blue Ocean Strategy-from Wikipedia.
12.
O. Quader, Coastal and Marine Biodiversity of Bangladesh (Bay of Bengal), Space Research
and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARRSO), Dhaka-1207, Bangaldesh.
13.
Announcement Global Oceans Action for Food Security and Blue Growth-22 to 25 April, 2014
The Hague, the Netherlands.
14.
Md. Hashibul Islam, Bangladesh Marine Fisheries, Threats and Management. Consultant
SEMAC, Chittagong.
15.
M.G. Hussain’ and M.J. Rahman, Marine Fisheries Resources of Bangladesh: Stock States and
Management Issues.
Reports
16.
Donna R. Christie, It Don’t Come EEZ: The failre and future of coastal state fisheries
management.
17.
Report of the committee for examining the provisions of the Marine Fisheries Oridinance, 1983
and for making recommendations for implementation of the provisions of the ordinance.
18.
An Environmental Assessment of the Bay of Bengal Region (BOBP/REP/67) by Swedish Centre
for Coastal Development of Aquatic Resources. (SWEDMAR).
14
Official Documents
19.
Maritime Operations and Doctrine, AFWC-National Defence College Bangladesh.
20.
Concept of Operations-Bangladesh Navy.
21.
Ocean/Blue Economy-Modern Economic Vision- Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL).
22.
Bulletin National Fish Week 2013, Compendium (In Bengali).
23.
Establishment of Maritime Security Center (MSC) in Bangladesh-A Requirement in Present
Day’s Context (By Captain Masuq Hassan Ahmed, (G), PPM, psc, BN-Unpublished).
Interviews
24.
Huq, Captain, A M Q, (ND), afwc, psc, BN, Commanding Officer, School of Maritime Warefare
and Tactics (SMWT), interviewed on 02 April, 2014.
25.
Md. Mahbub Alam, Instructor (Fish Processing), Marine Fisheries Academy on 03 April, 2014.
26.
Selina Sultana, Junior Instructor (Quality Control), Marine Fisheries Academy on 03 April, 2014.
15
Encloser-1
16
Encloser-2
17
Encloser-3
18
Encloser-4
19
Encloser-5
20
Encloser-6
21
Encloser-7
22
Encloser-8
23
Encloser-9
24
Encloser-10
25
BACKGROUND NOTE
Global Oceans Action Summit
for Food Security and Blue Growth
THE
HAGUE,
THE
NETHERLANDS,
22 - 25 APRIL 2014
1.
Introduction
The Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth will be held in The
Hague, the Netherlands from 22' d to 25 th April 2014.
Hosted by the Government of the Netherlands with support from the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), The World Bank Group, and partner countries:
Grenada, Indonesia, Mauritius, Norway, and the United States of America, this Summit will
bring together global leaders, ocean practitioners, business, science, civil society and
international agencies to share experiences and demonstrate how combined action in
partnerships f or healthier and productive oceans can drive sustainable growth and
shared prosperity while preserving natural capital for future generations.
The Summit will highlight the need to address the next frontier of successful integrated
approaches that attract public-private partners, secure financing and catalyze good ocea
governance while reconciling tensions and balancing priorities between (i) growth and
conservation, (ii) private sector interests and equitable benefits for communities and (iii)
Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) policy
frameworks.
1.
B a c k g r o u n d 2.1. The Opportunity
Eighty percent of all life on the planet is found in oceans. The ocean provides a global
life support system that helps regulate climate and supplies half of the planet's oxygen
needed f or one in every t wo breaths that we take. Fish contributes 17 percent of the
animal protein consumed by the world's population and thus is a critical source of food
security, with demand expected to
21 -12-2013
Page 1 van 7 double in the next twenty years
(FAO, 2012). Currently 3 billion people depend on fish for twenty percent of their
average per capita intake of animal protein. About 660 - 820 million livelihoods ( or
10-12 percent of the world's populat ion) are dependent on the fisheries. 97 percent
of the livelihoods that are directly dependent on fisheries and aquaculture occur in
developing countries, mostly via small-scale operations in Asia (FAO, 2010). Ocean
revenues include some US$161 billion annually f rom marine and coastal tourism,
in addition to a growing range of products from the oceans, such as antibiotics,
antifreeze,
26
antifouling paints and a number of pharmaceutical products (UNEP, 2006). The ocean also
delivers essential public goods and services such as protection from natural hazards for the
growing coastal population and carbon storage - in the form of 'blue carbon' sinks such as
mangrove forests, sea grass beds and other vegetated ocean habitats, -which can sequester up
to five times the amounts of carbon absorbed by tropical forests (Nellemann et al., 2009).
2.2. The Challenge
Today, the world faces one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century: how to feed 9 billion
people by 2050 in the face of climate change, economic and financial uncertainty and the
growing competition for natural resources. The multiple challenges of food insecurity, climate
change, degradation of ecosystems, and economic recession require an integrated response
and an urgent transition of the world economy towards a sustainable, inclusive and resource
efficient path.
Healthy oceans are one key to rising to this challenge. But three key threats to ocean health overfishing, habitat change and pollution - affect our ability to use the oceans to drive strong
economies and healthy communities. Actions to solve these threats have often been
unsuccessful. Moreover, they have contributed to the tensions between (i) growth and
conservation, (ii) private sector Interests and equitable benefits for communities and (iii) EEZs
and ABNJ policy frameworks.
2.3. Rising to the challenge
This is why the Global Oceans Action Summit is bringing together stakeholders from across the
public-private-civil society spheres to co-design solutions that can achieve healthy oceans at
the speed and scale necessary to meet the challenges we face.
2.4. Breaking Down Barriers
The tensions mentioned above have been highlighted at recent Ocean Summits and meetings
and through new initiatives that focus, for example, either on EEZs or on the high seas. The Global
Oceans Action Summit aims to bring together stakeholders from various "schools of thought" to
examine success stories where competing interests can be reconciled with a view to identifying
actions, partnerships and financing that can help scale up activities that ultimately result in
shared prosperity today and for future generations.
Balancing Growth and Conservation
Governments, policy makers and international institutions keen to boost food security and
eradicate poverty face a careful balancing act between conservation and growth. While
fisheries and aquaculture generate considerable social and economic benefits for hundreds of
millions of people around the world, and have the potential to increase their contribution to
human well-being and growth, these activities have inevitable impacts on biodiversity and
the environment. These are impacts that, if not managed and controlled effectively, can cause
irreversible damage to aquatic ecosystems and resources that are additional to the impacts
of other human activities, such as those due to coastal and offshore
27
mining, oil and gas extraction, coastal and riparian zone development, pollution from landbased sources, which are often not adequately managed.
Sustainable development, based on the pillars of ecological, social and economic sustalnability,
entails reconciling several intersecting agendas. Often agendas are promoted that reflect
either the economic, or social or conservation objectives. However, there is a clear need
to address all three pillars concurrently. There is also a need to link institutions that deal
directly or indirectly with ocean issues across spatial and jurisdictional scales in ways that are
efficient and effective, avoiding duplications and conflicts.
National governments can play a key role in addressing these challenges, acting on their own
and in concert with others through international treaties including Regional Fisheries
Management Organizations (RFM0s) and other regional mechanisms such as the Regional
Seas Programme of the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP). FAO is working
on many fronts to find solutions to these problems. Major areas of activity include, for
example, development and implementation of the ecosystem approach to fisheries and
aquaculture, eco-labelling and certification, cooperation with CITES on commerciallyexploited aquatic species, management of bycatch a nd discards and others.
The Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth highlights solutions
for meeting this balance between growth and conservation with a view to delivering actionable
approaches towards projects for scaled-up action.
Balancing private sector growth and equitable benefits for communities
More than 38 million people are directly employed by capture fisheries, including marine and
inland fisheries. Over 90% of these work in small-scale fisheries, primarily in developing
countries. Globally, fish provide about 3 billion people with almost 20 percent of their average
per capita intake of animal protein. In some countries, including Small Island Developing
States (SIDS), Bangladesh, Ghana and Indonesia, fish accounts for more than 50 percent of
the animal protein intake.
While governments can create legal, regulatory and policy frameworks and incentives, it is
the private sector that is the main driver of economic growth through investment and
entrepreneurial initiatives which range from global billion-dollar corporations that are
vertically integrated to small-scale fishers.
Given the wide range of actors in the private sector and the differences in their goals, in the
context of Blue Growth, efficiency not only relates to the monetary return on investment in
sustainable fisheries but also the wider societal gains - in particular from small-scale
operations for local economic growth, poverty reduction and food security.
Strong momentum exists to reshape the context in which the private sector, independently of
its scale, currently operates in order to ensure sustainable growth with equitable benefits for
communities. For example, one priority action identified during the recent Asia Conference on
Oceans, Food Security and Blue
28
Growth (ACOFB, 2013) is "Ensuring that opportunities for blue growth do not marginalize small
scale, local community-level fisheries and aquaculture." Along the same lines, in the Rio+20
outcome document, The Future We Want, members of the international community agreed to
"encourage the private sector to contribute to decent work for all and job creation for both women
and men, and particularly for the youth, including through partnerships with small and medium
enterprises as well as cooperatives." These objectives require policies that create incentives
for producers and consumers to adopt sustainable practices and behavior.
These principles for private sector growth and equitable benefits are also enshrined In a
number or internationally adopted instruments developed to guide policy makers in decisionmaking on development in fisheries, namely the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries,
the Right to Food Guidelines, the Voluntary Guidelines for the Responsible Governance of Land,
Fisheries and Forestry in the Context of National Food Security and the Voluntary Guidelines
for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines).
The Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth will highlight examples of
success where large scale private sector and small scale operators have worked harmoniously and
provide frameworks and partnerships for scaled-up action.
Uniting EEZ and ABNJ Agendas
There are a number of common issues that have an impact in EEZs and in the high seas in
regard to resource use and conservation. A few of the most important include Illegal,
Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) f ishing, overcapacity, harmful subsidies, and pollution.
IUU Fishing is a serious global problem and increasingly is seen as one of the main
obstacles to the achievement of sustainable world fisheries. IUU fishing respects neither
national boundaries nor international attempts to manage fishing on the high seas. Many
factors contribute to circumstances where IUU fishing flourishes, including economic
incentives which negate attempts to make fishing behaviour more responsible. It thrives where
limited capacity or weak governance arrangements prevail and is further encouraged by the
failure of countries to meet their International responsibilities. It put s unsustainable
pressure on fish stocks, marine wildlife and habitats, subverts labour standards and distorts
markets.
Although the overall extent and value of IUU fishing is very difficult to estimate with any real
degree of accuracy, recent studies' put the worldwide value of IUU fishing at between $10
billion and $23.5 billion annually. IUU fishing imposes significant economic costs on some of
the poorest countries in the world where dependency on fisheries for food, livelihoods and
revenues is high and undermines efforts by these countries to manage natural resources
as a contribution to growth and welfare.
1
Estimating the Worldwide Extent of Illegal Fishing, 2009 David J. Agnew, John Pearce,
Ganapathiraju Pramod, Tom Peatman, Reg Watson, John R. Beddington, Tony J. Pitcher
http://www.plosone.orq/article/info:doi/10.1371/iournal.00ne.0004570
29
Another common issue of the ABNJ and coastal fisheries which directly affects overfishing is
the large number of harmful subsidies that have resulted in marine capture fisheries
underperforming as a global asset. Perverse subsidies to the fisheries sector (such as for
vessel construction and fuel tax waivers) reduce the real costs of fishing and enable fishing to
continue when it would otherwise be unprofitable. The Sunken Billions study' shows that the
difference between the potential and actual net economic benefits from marine fisheries is in the
order of $50 billion per year - equivalent to more than half the value of the global seafood
trade. The cumulative economic loss to the global economy over the last three decades is
estimated to be in the order of two trillion dollars. In many countries the catching operations
are buoyed up by subsidies, so that the global fishery economy to the point of landing (the
harvest sub-sector) is in deficit.
From small-scale artisanal fisheries to large-scale industrial fisheries, and whether in
national waters or ABNJ, the related issues of who has the right to exploit the fishery's
resources and the nature of that right are a key part of the sustainable management of the
resource. The experience to date with a variety of types of user access systems - customary,
traditional, and current - provides a basis for assessing when the use of such systems may
help in ensuring that fishing effort is commensurate with the maximum sustainable
productivity of fisheries resources. This experience may also help determine when such
systems can provide fishers and fishing communities with a tool that can create incentives for
conserving and responsibly using fisheries resources.
An additional issue linking the ABNJ and EEZs is the growing impacts of marine pollution on
ocean living resources. Marine pollution includes marine litter and debris, waste water and
excess agricultural nutrients. Marine debris includes any anthropogenic, manufactured, or
processed solid material (regardless of size) discarded, disposed of, lost or abandoned that
ends up in the marine environment. It includes, but is not limited to, plastics, metals, glass,
concrete and other construction materials, paper, polystyrene, rubber, rope, textiles and
hazardous materials, such as munitions, asbestos and medical waste. Marine debris may
result from activities on land or at sea and is a complex cultural and multi-sectoral problem that
exacts tremendous ecological, economic, and social costs around the globe. In the few
decades since mass production of plastic products commenced, plastic debris, driven by
currents, has accumulated in the open ocean, on shorelines of even the most remote islands
and in the deep sea.
Environmental pollutants comprise one of the major hurdles the marine food web is facing
today. Contaminants that accumulate in wildlife, including fish, cause health problems for
them and for humans who eat them. Reproductive and developmental problems, behavioral
problems, diseases, and cancers have all been linked to chemical pollutants. Marine
mammals, birds and fish may be even more sensitive than humans to low concentrations
of these pollutants'.
The Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth
brings together EEZ and ABNJ stakeholders around common issues
which, if
2
The Sunken Billions; The economic justification for fisheries reform. 2009. The
World Bank and FAO.
3
From: fittp://namanetora/our-work/ecosvstem-Drotection/toxic-aollution-fisheries
30
addressed holistically, can have positive impacts on ocean health, as a whole. 2.5. Turning
the Tide: delivering solutions
Restoring the health of the world's oceans is a global challenge that can be solved. The
challenge is to accelerate efforts to implement the commitments the world has already made
and to seize this opportunity for the global economy. The institutional failures that have created
the conditions for "The Tragedy of the Commons" with open access to ocean resources can
be addressed effectively. A growing number of examples from around the world have shown
that global coordinated action to increase investment can unlock the oceans' economic
potential, benefiting millions of people.
Taken altogether, whether addressing growth and conservation, private sector and equitable
benefits for communities or ABNJ and EEZ, these solutions should also help address
fundamental ocean issues such as:
Sustainable seafood and livelihoods from capture fisheries and aquaculture; with a
view towards, (i) Significantly increasing global food fish production from both sustainable
aquaculture and sustainable fisheries by adopting best practices and reducing
environmental risk to stimulate investment; and (ii) Enabling the world's overfished stocks to
be rebuilt and increase the annual net benefits of capture fisheries by at least $20 billion,
including through reducing subsidies that prom ote overfishing and by encouraging
responsible governance of tenure.
(b)
Critical coastal habitat and biodiversity protection, with a view towards: (i) Halving the
current rate of natural habitat loss and reducing habitat degradation and fragmentation, by
applying ecosystem-based approaches to management; (ii) Increasing marine managed and
protected areas, and other effective area-based conservation measures, to include at least
10% of coastal and marine areas; and (iii) Conserving and restoring natural coastal habitats
to reduce vulnerability and increase resilience to climate change impacts.
(c)
Pollution Reduction, with a view towards: (i) Reducing pollution to levels not detrimental
to ecosystem function and biodiversity; and (ii) Supporting implementation of the Global
Program of Action to reduce pollution, particularly from marine litter, waste water and
excess agricultural nutrients, and further develop consensus for identifying cost -effective
interventions to reduce these pollutants.
(a)
Oceans and food security need to be at the heart of sustainable development and poverty
eradication efforts. Healthy productive oceans are vital to global human welfare and are
therefore part of the solution.
21 -12-2013
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3.The Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Se
The Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth will focus on surfacing
solutions to meet the needs of countries to restore their oceans and use them to alleviate
poverty, share prosperity and better absorb global shocks.
31
The Summit will emphasize Three Thematic Areas (growth and conservation; private sector and
equitable benefits for communities; ABNJ/EEZ) with a view towards breaking down silos in the
world of ocean policy and action while promoting integrated approaches. The Summit will focus
on how to use this shared understanding to develop action-oriented partnerships, frameworks for
existing and new financing mechanisms, and models for good governance.
3.1. Key Objectives
Identifying solutions to ocean threats that can be replicated a t speed and scale to deliver
healthy oceans for every country.
Identifying financial mechanisms and mobilizing partnerships to better fulfil the obligations
embedded in UNCLOS.
Using these solutions and the shared understandings across important ocean themes to serve
as inputs to the post-2015 sustainable development framework.
3.2. Summit Logistics
Timing, program and location:
The Government of the Netherlands will host the Global Oceans Action Summit for Food
Security and Blue Growth from 21 to 25 th April 2014 at The World Forum in The Hague, The
Netherlands. A ministerial dialogue will be convened on Thursday April 24 th.
Tentatively, the program will include:
Day 1: Opening. Positioning the Oceans. Global State of the Oceans and challenges per region /
Working Group sessions.
Day 2: Working group sessions to examine success stories where competing interests can
be reconciled with a view to identifying actions, partnerships and financing that can help scale up
activities that ultimately result in shared prosperity.
Day 3: High-Level Summit Event. Solution and action oriented engagement amongst
stakeholders, including Ministers and CEOs.
Day 4: Report back from High Level Event and Closing session.
Participation:
Participants are being invited from governments, private sector, the scientific community, local
community and indigenous
people,
international
organizations, non-governmental organizations, philanthropic foundations.
21 -12-2013
More information:
Further
information
on
the
www.globaloceansactionsummit.corn
Page 7 van 7
Summit
will
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be
available
on
the
website:
ANNOUNCEMENT
GLOBAL OCEANS ACTION SUMMIT FOR FOOD SECURITY AND BLUE
GROWTH
22 to 25 APRIL, 2014
THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS
The Government of The Netherlands, in close collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO), the World Bank and the Governments of Grenada, Indonesia, Mauritius, Norway, the United States of America, is pleased
to announce that this Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth will now take place in The Hague, The
Netherlands from 22 to 25 April, 2014 at the World Forum conference centre.
Healthy oceans are essential for global food security, livelihoods and economic growth. The oceans cover some
72 per cent of the Earth's surface, and are both an engine for global economic growth and a key source of food
security. The world faces one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century: how to feed 9 billion people by 2050
in the face of climate change, economic and financial uncertainty and the growing competition for natural
resources. These multiple challenges require an integrated response and an urgent transition of the world economy
towards a sustainable, inclusive and resource efficient path. Ocean health and productivity must be at the heart of
global efforts to eradicate poverty, strengthen food security and build resistance to climate change.
For the first time, with a view to improving food security, eradicating poverty and delivering shared prosperity,
global leaders, ocean practitioners, scientists, and representatives from government, business, civil society and
international organizations will come together to explore action-oriented partnerships, governance arrangements,
investment frameworks and new financing vehicles to turn the tide on the health of Oceans.
The Summit will demonstrate measurable steps towards critical internationally agreed targets for fisheries,
aquaculture, habitat protection and pollution reduction. The Summit will also highlight the need to address the
next frontiers of successful integrated approaches that include public-private partners, secure financing and
catalyze good ocean governance while reconciling tensions and balancing priorities between (i) growth and
conservation, (ii) private sector interests and equitable benefits for communities and (iii) ABNJ (Areas Beyond
National Jurisdiction) and EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zones within the 200-mile limit from the coast). Moreover,
the Summit will take stock of previous important regional and thematic ocean conferences and delivers a pathway
towards prime positioning for the oceans on the international development agenda.
Invitations for the Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue growth will be sent in the beginning
of January.
All sessions of the Summit will be in the English language only.
Further information about the Summit will soon be available on this website
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