[🇧🇩] Blue and Ocean Economy of Bangladesh

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Date of Event: Oct 23, 2024 Source : https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/city/c84966iqta

ECOFISH II paves way for Bangladesh’s blue economy
Prothom Alo English Desk
Published: 22 Oct 2024, 20: 58

Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhter stated that the government is working to alleviate the hardships of fishermen during the ban on catching hilsa.

She made this remark while speaking as the chief guest at the result-sharing and phase-out workshop of the Ecofish-2 project held at a hotel in the capital on Monday, said a press release.

The Ecofish-2 project has been implemented by WorldFish Bangladesh with the support of USAID.

The advisor said, "Hilsa is a very important resource for us. Many fishermen and their families are directly involved with hilsa. We are working to protect mother hilsa and also to support the fishermen. However, I don’t think it’s enough. There is currently a 22-day ban on catching hilsa, and the government is trying to ensure that fishermen do not suffer during this period or go hungry. This support will be increased further."

Highlighting that Bangladesh is not a poor country, Farida Akhter added, "With the natural and marine resources we have, we shouldn’t remain poor if we utilize them properly. If our women become self-reliant, they won’t have to sit idly; they will be able to soar. We have marine scientists, but we are not utilizing them. Fishermen should be given equal respect—they are also, in a sense, scientists. We will request the agencies on behalf of the government to ensure that this project continues and is not stopped."

The event highlighted that the project works to improve the lives of marginal fishing families in Bangladesh's coastal areas while also conserving coastal and marine biodiversity. Ecofish-2 collaborates with the Department of Fisheries, the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation, the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, various universities, and NGOs.

Over 72,000 people from 15,000 fishing families in Cox’s Bazar’s Zone of Resilience, the Meghna estuary, and the Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Nijhum Dwip have benefitted from the project. Over the past five years, the project has trained more than 15,000 fishermen from 429 fisheries conservation groups, empowering them to take responsibility for coastal resources.

Through the project, 236 endangered marine species, including dolphins, turtles, and rays, were successfully released alive from fishing nets. Additionally, 140 local youths have been trained as volunteer “Blue Guards” who have removed 36 metric tons of plastic waste from coastal areas.

Mohammad Mokarram Hossain, Chief of Party of the Ecofish-2 project, presented the research findings at the event. He noted that the project empowered women by increasing their participation in various economic activities through income-generating activities.

It also helped establish saving habits in 222 Women’s Income and Nutrition Groups, aiming to ensure that women could contribute to their family’s economy. As a result, women's participation in economic activities rose from 71 per cent to 100 per cent, and their personal savings reached Tk 8.70 million (USD 73,758).

Other speakers at the event emphasized that the overall activities of the Ecofish-2 project showcase its success, such as community engagement, scientific research, and policy advocacy. The project clearly demonstrates that sustainable fisheries management not only protects marine ecosystems but also improves coastal communities' social structure and livelihoods.

As Bangladesh continues to explore the potential of its blue economy, the data and results from the Ecofish-2 project will serve as a guide for future initiatives. The project has already set a shining example of sustainable and equitable development by promoting women's empowerment, biodiversity conservation, and community-centric approaches.

Special guests at the event included Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Saeed Mahmud Belal Haider, Director General of the Department of Fisheries Zillur Rahman, USAID Bangladesh Mission Director Reed J Aeschliman, WorldFish’s Director of Programs and Impact Management Ann Elizabeth Fleming, and Interim Country Representative of WorldFish Bangladesh Binoy Kumar Barman.​

 

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Blue Economy of Bangladesh.

 

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Emerging Blue Economy for Bangladesh: Opportunities, Challenges and Way Forward

 

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Blue economy of Bangladesh: Prospects and challenges

The Oceanic Economy popularly known as blue economy has emerged as a crucial development issue for optimum use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Among the sustainable development goals (SDGs), SDG-14 focuses on sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resou

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Blue economy of Bangladesh: Prospects and challenges
Bangaldesh Bank
Published :
Jan 28, 2021 03:07
Updated :
Jan 28, 2021 03:07

The Oceanic Economy popularly known as blue economy has emerged as a crucial development issue for optimum use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Among the sustainable development goals (SDGs), SDG-14 focuses on sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Ocean assets provide food and energy which are essential ingredients of human life. By overlooking the three-fourth proportion of the surface of earth, it is tough to achieve sustainable economic development by 2030. Given this, Bangladesh has adopted steps to ensure sustainable use the oceans, seas and marine resources attaining inclusive development and goal related to SDG-14.

Bangladesh has 710 km long coastline with an exclusive economic zone of 200 Nautical Miles inside the Bay of Bengal. Marine fisheries contribute 19.40 per cent of the total fish production of the country. Besides, on an average, 81.0 per cent of the international tourists visit Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh. The ocean of Bangladesh is contributing a noteworthy role to its overall socio-economic growth through enhancing the economic activities across the country and especially to the coastal zone at southern part.

A new economic area for Bangladesh is demarcated in the Bay of Bengal. Already, Bangladesh has taken steps to flourish its Blue Economy in order to utilize its new marine resources. Since 2015, the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has undertaken a number of consultations and workshops on Blue Economy. In addition, Seventh-Five Year Plan (7FYP) of Bangladesh has mentioned twelve actions for maintaining a prosperous and sustainable Blue Economy, which include fisheries, renewable energy, human resources, transshipment, tourism and climate change among others. Moreover, in 2017, the "Blue Economy Cell' under Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), GoB has been established with the mandate to coordinate Blue Economy initiatives across sectoral ministries.

Blue Economy has the prospect to contribute Bangladesh economy on a much higher level. Twenty six potential Blue Economy sectors have been identified by the MoFA which include the fishery, maritime trade and shipping, energy, tourism, coastal protection, maritime safety and surveillance for development of blue economy in Bangladesh.

SHIPPING: Mostly the Bangladesh's external freight trade is seaborne (2018) which is 90.0 per cent of the total freight trade of the country. Therefore, it appears that our economy may heavily depend on freight trade in future. So, to retain the huge amount of freight charges within the country, incentives might be provided to local shipping companies to add more ships to the existing fl eet. Besides, coastal shipping, seaports, passenger ferry services, inland water way transport, ship building and ship recycling industries should get more importance to carry on sustainable economic growth of our country.

FISHERY: Experts opine that fish alone has 500 varieties besides snails, shell-fish, crabs, sharks, octopuses and other animals. It is estimated that Bangladesh catches only 0.70 million tons of fish every year out of the total 8.0 million tons of fish available in the Bay of Bengal. It is worthwhile to mention that 15.0 percent of the protein is provided from sea resources for the people across the world. As many people depend on oceans for their livelihood and foods, increased efforts are needed to save ocean resources. Oil and gas: Bangladesh is yet to assess the true potential of its offshore gas prospects. Bangladesh could also have gas fields in its area of the sea. Bangladesh possess some gas fields in the land and like Myanmar, Bangladesh may have the potentials to get more gas fields in the sea which may add to the total reserve of gas of the country. Besides, oil and gas, sea salt, ocean renewable energy, blue energy (osmosis) and biomass, aggregates mining (sand, gravel, etc.) and marine genetic resource should get more attention as ocean resources. Therefore, these plenty of potential may contribute to our sustainable economic development in future.

TOURISM: Globally, coastal tourism is the largest market segment and represents 5.0 per cent of world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and contributes 6.0-7.0 per cent of total employment. In 150 countries, it is one of five top export earners. It is the main source of foreign exchange for one-half of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Coastal tourism includes: (a) beach-based recreation and tourism; (b) tourist activities in proximity to the sea; and (c) nautical boating including yachting and marinas. Sustainable tourism can create new employment opportunities and reduce poverty. So, Bangladesh can earn foreign exchange from tourism industry which may contribute to GDP growth as well as help achieve SDGs by 2030. It is reported that the country has 75 outer-islands which could be utilised for tourists both local and foreign.

FUTURE OF EXPLORATION: Exploring and exploiting these sea resources through the use of appropriate technology, the economy of Bangladesh can grow rapidly. Bangladesh gained a defined maritime zone in the Bay of Bengal after a long time dispute settlement of maritime boundary with India and Myanmar. Bangladesh may pay attention in advancing its Blue Economy to utilise its vast sea region with sea-based resources through ensuring a sustainable balance between the protection of marine ecosystem and marine resources. Now, Bangladesh can create more spaces to ensure economic growth through fresh investments in marine trade and commerce.

The country has so far, explored only a few number of Blue Economy sectors such as fisheries and aquaculture, shipbuilding, ship breaking, salt generation and port facilities. Besides, most of these sectors are following traditional methods. Therefore, there still remains ample opportunities as well as challenges for exploring large number of blue economy sectors, safeguarding mangrove and ocean grass, addressing environmental changes and managing carbon discharge, and introducing innovative technology for further development to contribute in achieving sustainable development goals.

The piece is excerpted from Bangladesh Bank Annual Report (July 2019-June 2020).​

 

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The future of the Blue Economy in Bangladesh

 

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Strengthening our blue economy

While thinking of a sea-based economy, we must think of “Blue Justice” and “Blue Equity” to ensure people's rights over coasts, seas, and the resources therein.

www.thedailystar.net

Strengthening our blue economy

Strengthening our blue economy. Illustration: Salman Sakib Shahryar

We often assume that a blue economy is all about exploring oil and gas from the ocean floor and monetising it. But there's much to it than that.

In October 2019, an article titled "Blue Economy – Development of Sea Resources for Bangladesh" was posted on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. The write-up put 25 sectors under the blue economy banner, with a couple of the less talked-about sectors including the conservation and sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems (such as mangroves), and the livelihoods of the people depending on those resources. Examples of the latter—also known as blue livelihoods—are small-scale coastal and deep-sea fishing, crab collection from the Sundarbans' floor, post-larvae collection of shrimp from the Kholpetua River in Satkhira, and the harvesting of honey and gol pata (nipa palm leaves) from the mangroves. The 65-day annual fishing ban on the Bay of Bengal imposed by the government since 2019—to increase fish production and deter illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing by commercial fishing boats from Bangladesh and neighbouring countries—is also critical to sustaining our blue economy.

Protection of marine and coastal ecosystems is also crucial given its importance for human well-being, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity conservation. Bangladesh, for example, has three Marine Protected Areas (the Swatch-of-No-Ground, Nijhum Dwip, and Saint Martin's Island) that boast rich populations of whales, dolphins, sharks, rays, corals, seaweed, and other plants and animals. The country also owns 60 percent of the 10,000-square-kilometre Sundarbans, half of which is now protected as wildlife sanctuaries. From a climate change mitigation standpoint, such protection is vital for removing carbon from the atmosphere by mangroves, seagrass (marine flowering plants), seaweed (large marine algae), and microscopic phytoplankton algae. This is branded as "blue carbon" and these ecosystems are called "blue carbon ecosystems."

But in order to take ocean-related activities forward, we need money (or Blue Finance). While presenting Bangladesh's Tk 761,785 crore national budget for 2023-2024, the finance minister linked the blue economy directly with the fisheries sector. There is however no data on how much money the country is investing to advance the sea-based economy. Blue Bond—wherein a financial institution sells bonds to raise money for ocean-based activities—is mentioned in the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2022-2041 (MCPP2041). In September 2022, Bangladesh Bank issued a Green Bond policy to guide the establishment of green bond mechanisms to realise environment-friendly, renewable energy-driven economic activities. But till now, we haven't seen any concrete attempts to launch blue bonds or ocean-focused financial tools.

While thinking of a sea-based economy, we must think of "Blue Justice" and "Blue Equity" to ensure people's rights over coasts, seas, and the resources therein. We need to see if, in the name of exploring and protecting our marine resources, we are negatively affecting local communities. The annual 65-day fishing ban (May-July) is apparently a good thing for conserving fisheries in the Bay of Bengal. But are fishers being sufficiently compensated? Do they even have the identity cards that officially pronounce them as fishers?

To achieve blue justice, we need to invest in "Blue Governance." We need to know who the stakeholders are: marine resource-dependent local people; concerned government agencies, including law enforcement bodies; private sector entities; civil society; local government representatives; academics; and development partners. We need to ensure their representation in the governance structure and meaningful participation in decision-making, and that the implementation process is accountable and transparent.

The Blue Economy Cell of Bangladesh was established as the focal agency for the blue economy in January 2017, thus facilitating blue governance. Almost seven years on, the Cell has been struggling to meet expectations. The government could intervene in three areas to speed up the Cell's pace.

First, from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, the Cell should be transferred to the Planning Commission of the Ministry of Planning, because the role of the Cell is essentially strategic planning based on evidence, involving a large number of public and private entities. Bangladesh's Planning Commission, especially its General Economics Division (GED), has some commendable achievements under its belt, such as Delta Plan 2100 and the Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 2021-2041. Relocating the Cell to the country's apex planning body would accelerate its role.

Second, over the last few years, Bangladesh has been publicly disclosing its annual climate-relevant budget, gender budget, and poverty-reduction expenditure as part of its financial accountability in these priority areas. The Blue Economy Cell could develop a guided template to collect budgetary and expenditure information from concerned ministries and agencies, and prepare the Blue Budget for FY 2024-2025. Such an exercise will increase the self-awareness of government stakeholders in the blue economy; improve the profile, leadership, and value of the Cell in terms of blue governance; and subsequently create a momentum for an ocean-based economy (which is long overdue).

Finally, the Maritime Affairs Unit of the foreign ministry recently published the Blue Economy Development Work Plan based on consultations with a wide range of stakeholders. Out of 56 action points, the Work Plan identifies the Cell's role only in oil and gas exploration, pollution management, and marine spatial planning. Instead of preparing a new strategy and plan, the Cell should urgently take initiatives to operationalise the Work Plan. While doing so, the Cell should take blue justice as one of the core guiding principles of the implementation instrument by ensuring inclusive and equitable actions. This can be done by enhancing the livelihoods of communities living along Bangladesh's coast, ensuring environmental sustainability while harvesting mineral resources from the Bay, and by implementing sustainable natural resource management.

Dr Haseeb Md Irfanullah is an independent consultant working on environment, climate change, and research systems; and is a visiting research fellow at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB).​

 

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Blue Economy - Are we ready for it?

Blue economy means extraction of the resources of sea for the growth of an economy. Bangladesh has settled maritime boundary disputes with Myanmar in 2012 and with India in 2014 through an arbitral method. It is estimated that Bangladesh has acquired 118,813 square kilometres of the Bay of...

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Blue Economy - Are we ready for it?

A view of Bay of Bengal from Sandwip, Chittagong. PHOTO: HOSSAIN TAREQUE/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Blue economy means extraction of the resources of sea for the growth of an economy. Bangladesh has settled maritime boundary disputes with Myanmar in 2012 and with India in 2014 through an arbitral method. It is estimated that Bangladesh has acquired 118,813 square kilometres of the Bay of Bengal. The areas of resources include 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone and over 354 nautical miles of resources on seabed (continental shelf). It is estimated that the resources from the sea of Bangladesh constitute 81 percent of the resources existing in its land territory.

Within the jurisdiction of Bangladesh, the sea is endowed with immense and precious natural resources, living and non-living. Experts say that fish alone has 500 varieties besides snails, shell-fish, crabs, sharks, octopuses and other animals. Bangladesh is estimated to catch only 0.70 million tons of fish every year out of the total 8 million tons of fish available in the Bay of Bengal.

Besides fish and other living animals, Bangladesh could also have gas fields as it is reported that Myanmar has discovered a large gas field on its area of the sea. Experts are of the view that Bangladesh would be able to extract resources worth about Tk 12,000 crore (1.2 billion dollar).

According to experts, the silt on the adjacent sea area in Bangladesh contains valuable minerals such as uranium and thorium besides a large number of "clay" which constitutes raw materials of cement. Experts believe that there exist 13 heavy mineral-rich silts in the adjacent sea areas of Bangladesh, such as ilmenite, garnet, colemanite, zircon, retile, and magnetite which, according to them, are more valuable than gold. The sale of these minerals could earn billions of dollars for Bangladesh. It is reported that the country has 75 outer-islands which could be utilised for tourists both local and foreign. If Bangladesh can explore and exploit these resources through the use of appropriate technology, the economy of Bangladesh can grow rapidly into an advanced one. Although the government of Bangladesh has leased out some areas of Bay of Bengal to foreign companies, it is believed that they are not using expensive modern machinery to extract the resources.

There is one important factor to consider for Bangladesh: that is, with the increase of the population of the country, it would be gradually more dependable on sea resources than those in the landmass. The resources include endless renewable reserves in wind and solar energy.

It is worthwhile to mention that 15 percent of the protein is provided from sea resources for the people across the world. Natural gas and oil constitute 30 percent of the sea resources and over 50 percent of magnesium is extracted globally from the seas. Even life-saving medicines could also be obtainable from these resources.

Given the possibility of acquisition of wealth from sea, Bangladesh is required to develop policies and laws to strengthen national institutions which could deliver solutions to implement its Sustainable Development Goals, i.e. evaluation of goals must go beyond measurement, to consider whether progress is equitable, relevant and sustainable.

It is significant to note that Bangladesh's trade is carried out mainly through the sea and that a USD-45-billion trade is possible for Bangladesh. It is estimated that 5 percent of the country's GDP could be acquired by 2030 from the resources of the sea. Bangladesh could be a developed country by 2041 if the resources are properly extracted and adequately used. It is reported that Indonesia's national economy depends largely on its sea resources and Australia is reported to have earned USD 44 billion from sea.

In 2015, a resolution proposed by Bangladesh was adopted by the General Assembly of the UN for sustainable development, and its purpose was directed at achieving 17-point economic growth by 2030, of which 14 points were contemplated from the perspective of blue economy. During the last few years, blue economy was the central topic of many international conferences. The Rio+20 Conference on the seas, and the conference at Bali (Indonesia) for the food security and growth of blue economy could be cited as examples. The strategy of the international organisations such as the World Bank and the UN Environmental Organisation is acquisition of sea resources.

Sea resources offer a new window of opportunity for Bangladesh. An increasing knowledge of the seas including the impact of wind, waves, high tide and ebb tide, change of temperature of the living organisms, and increase of salinity on the surface of seas could lead to sources of renewable energy. Every year, the use of wind from the seas is increasing by 40 percent and Bangladesh could use wind power for various purposes to strengthen its economy.

To feed the people from the sea resources, Bangladesh is required to push policies in cooperation with other countries to protect the ocean from the effects of climate change, pollution and over-fishing. We need to preserve the ecosystems of the seas which are reportedly being degraded at an unprecedented rate, and this is not an issue only for Bangladesh. It should be addressed in cooperation with other countries.

Many experts suggest that the government of Bangladesh should create an organisation to acquire the resources of the sea as quickly as possible as there is an unlimited scope of opportunity to extract these resources. Bangladesh can get inspiration from the fact that at present, the economy of the world is estimated to be USD 88 trillion, of which USD 24 trillion is acquired from sea resources. By 2050, it is estimated that the population of the world would be 900 crores (9 billion) and they would be fed largely from sea resources.

Barrister Harun ur Rashid is a former Bangladeshi ambassador to the UN, Geneva.​

 

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THE DYNAMIC CHANGEMAKER​

An illustration of leadership in action, presenting Tafhim Al Azmi, Chairman of BD Food Limited and BD Seafood Limited.

Bangladesh’s agricultural and food industries form the backbone of the nation’s economy, significantly contributing to GDP, employment, and global trade. These sectors are also key divers of sustainable practices and ethical food sourcing for international markets. Amidst this dynamic landscape, BD Group has emerged as a leader, and at its helm is Tafhim Al Azmi.

Tafhim Al Azmi is the Chairman of BD Foods Limited, BD Seafood Limited, Sabjiana Limited, Mughal Snacks Limited, and BD Packing Ind. Limited, all under the aegis of BD Group, his family business. He also serves as the Chairman of Al Azmi Trade International, and is a member of the board of directors at Heritage Enterprise Limited. He is a visionary changemaker with a mission to elevate Bangladesh’s agro-processing and food sectors on the global stage. His journey to the forefront of these critical sectors is both inspirational and motivational.

A Journey Rooted in Entrepreneurship

Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Mr. Azmi was immersed in the world of business from an early age. He earned both a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) while simultaneously participating in BD Group, gaining formal education alongside practical experience. This early exposure to the complexities of running a large conglomerate honed his entrepreneurial instincts and deepened his commitment to creating lasting impact.



A Unifier of Purpose

Tafhim Al Azmi’s leadership ethos centres around fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and shared purpose. He brings together people and energises them to work towards a common goal – a vision of becoming a globally celebrated food-producing conglomerate marked by the highest standards of world-class food products, and a mission to provide utmost reliability and ensuring uncompromising consumer satisfaction, thereby contributing meaningfully to the society and nation. Through this hands-on approach, Mr. Azmi has cultivated a workplace culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement, ensuring that BD Group remains at the forefront of Bangladesh’s food and agro-processing industries. Mr. Azmi’s pursuit of excellence has propelled BD Group to leadership not only in the local market but also on the international stage.



Leading BD Group – An Internationally Revered Conglomerate

As the third-generation leader of BD Group, which was founded in 1969, Mr. Azmi has overseen the company’s transformation into one of Bangladesh’s most recognised and respected conglomerates in the food and agro-processing industries. BD Group, now employing over 4,000 satisfied individuals, is committed to producing world-class food products while minimising environmental impact and uplifting local communities.

BD Seafood Ltd., one of BD Group’s flagship companies, exemplifies the group’s commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. It is a leading processor and exporter of seafood in Bangladesh, meeting and exceeding global standards for food safety. The company holds a range of international certifications, including ISO 22000:2018, HACCP, GMP, BRC, BAP, ASC, and MSC. BD Seafood ranks as the number 1 exporter of frozen shrimp and whitefish in Bangladesh and is approved by the European Union and registered with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

BD Foods Ltd., another of BD Group’s core ventures, has emerged as one of Bangladesh’s fastest-growing FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) manufacturers. Specialising in agricultural foods and beverages, BD Foods’ strength is in sales, marketing, and distribution. BD Group’s commitment to agricultural innovation extends to Sabjiana Ltd., which processes and exports traditional and organic frozen vegetables and fruits, and Mughal Snacks Ltd., a producer of high-quality snacks gaining recognition in European and North American markets.

Under Mr. Azmi’s leadership, various companies under BD Group have been awarded the prestigious National Export Trophy – Bangladesh’s highest export honour – every year from FY 2008-2009 till date. Further highlighting his significant contributions to the national economy, Mr. Azmi has been recognised as a Commercially Important Person (CIP) multiple times, including in 2011, 2014, 2015, 2021, and 2022.




A Trailblazer for a Promising Future

Tafhim Al Azmi sees gargantuan potential in the nation’s agricultural food processing industry. Given the vast agricultural resources that are harnessed by the most hardworking, innovative and resilient population of farmers and fishermen perhaps in the entire globe, the industry possesses the potential of being a flagship sector representing Bangladesh. He firmly believes that with the right support, Bangladesh can truly be branded in a new positive light by the virtues of these unsung heroes who feed a nation of nearly 190 million. As a member of the executive committee of the Bangladesh Agro-Processing Industry, Mr. Azmi has advocated for fostering a favourable trade landscape that addresses existing export barriers alongside exploring alternative proposals for cash assistance in the agro-processing sector, particularly in light of the nation’s LDC graduation. Such a progressive trade policy, paired with efforts to equip the nation’s resilient and relentless farmers and fishermen with the right set of technologies, will harvest and cultivate innovation. Mr. Azmi sees a future where the nation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem truly has the potential to redefine the story of Bangladeshi dedication to achieving excellence.

Photograph by Najmul Haque Sagor (portrait of Tafhim Al Azmi)
Photographs courtesy of BD Group (pictures of BD Seafood Limited and BD Foods Limited)

 

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Innovation, cutting-edge research can unlock the Bay of Bengal’s potential

Ocean ecosystems provide the fundamental natural resources that underpin the ocean-based economy.

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Innovation, cutting-edge research can unlock the Bay of Bengal’s potential

File Photo: Mohiuddin Ahmed Sagor

The vibrant, ever-expanding ocean economy of Bangladesh is a tapestry of diverse economic sectors. From the bounty of living resources to the untapped potential of mineral and energy reserves, from the bustling networks of maritime trade and transport to the allure of coastal tourism and recreation, leveraging its strategic location to build a regional and global hub of logistics, the three-dimensionality of the Bay of Bengal serves as the common thread that binds these industries together into an intricate, interdependent system.

Ocean ecosystems provide the fundamental natural resources that underpin the ocean-based economy. The distinction between ocean economy and blue economy lies in the fact that the latter encompasses policies designed to foster the sustainable advancement of the economy centred around oceanic resources and activities. Its goal is to achieve economic growth without depleting the overall natural capital and to ensure that the conservation of shared marine resources contributes to economic growth and poverty alleviation. These policies are typically formulated to bolster the three crucial aspects of sustainable development in the context of ocean utilisation: the sociopolitical, environmental, and economic domains.

The Bay of Bengal, the world's largest bay, holds significant strategic and economic value, serving as a key hub for trade, fisheries, and coastal communities. Despite its potential, the region's resources remain underutilised. To fully exploit the blue economy, there is a need for focused scientific research and capacity-building. Countries bordering the bay—including India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand—stand to benefit from a collaborative academic and research initiative.

Developing a robust, science-based academic and research programme is key to unlocking the secrets of the Bay of Bengal. By investing in comprehensive physical, biological and chemical oceanographic studies, marine biology, and coastal ecosystem assessments, we can gain a far deeper understanding of the bay's unique environment, resources, and vulnerabilities. This knowledge can then inform evidence-based policymaking and resource management strategies, ensuring sustainable development of the blue economy.

Bangladesh is strategically positioned on the northern coast of the Bay of Bengal, giving it tremendous potential to develop a thriving blue economy. However, realising this blue economy vision faces several key challenges. One of the key challenges is navigating the intricate maritime boundaries and jurisdictions within the bay. Bangladesh's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) shares maritime borders with India and Myanmar, and it is crucial to recognise that this zone is not a self-contained entity, but rather dynamically linked to the entire Bay of Bengal. Consequently, a collaborative and robust academic and research initiative among all the surrounding nations is a vital approach to develop a synergistic and nature-based solution for blue economy.

The Bay of Bengal's ecosystem is facing threats from algal blooms and the formation of Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZ), also known as "Dead Zones," which can have devastating consequences for marine life. Excessive nutrient input from neighbouring rivers—mainly due to agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and poor wastewater treatment—fuels algal growth. Monitoring and collaborative research among the surrounding countries are essential to study the patterns and impacts of algal bloom, as well as the formation and extent of the OMZ. This research can develop effective conservation strategies and policies to protect the bay's marine resources and ensure their sustainability.

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a holistic, ecosystem-based scientific approach to managing the various economic uses and activities that take place within the marine environment. It involves the analysis of current and future spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in order to ensure the sustainable use of marine resources while minimising conflicts among different sectors. In the context of the Bay of Bengal, effective MSP will be vital for optimising the region's blue economy. The Bay of Bengal is home to a diverse array of marine resources and economic activities, including fishing, aquaculture, shipping, offshore energy production, coastal tourism, land reclamation, freshwater harvesting, naval and aviation infrastructure, and many more. Without proper planning and coordination, these different sectors can easily come into conflict, leading to environmental degradation, economic losses, and social upheaval. MSP provides the framework to map out these various uses, identify synergies and trade-offs, and develop integrated management strategies.

The Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) has developed a comprehensive model, the BDM, marking a significant technological breakthrough. The advanced modelling provided valuable insights for blue economy project viability in the Bay of Bengal. Key research found that the Payra deep-sea port channel has much higher sedimentation than usual, rapidly filling within a year as dredging depth increases. This suggests that the location is unviable due to prohibitive maintenance costs. The BDM model also explored freshwater harvesting, coastal community development, and tourism to support a thriving coastal economy. Detailed, science-based studies are crucial during planning for all coastal and Bay of Bengal projects to ensure sustainability.

As the regional powers vie for influence and access to the resources of the area, mastery of relevant science and technology can become a key strategic asset for Bangladesh. By demonstrating its technological prowess in these areas, Bangladesh can position itself as a hub of maritime innovation, attracting investment and partnerships that bolster its economic and geopolitical standing.

In addition, studying the bay's influence on monsoons, currents, and coasts can provide crucial insights to develop effective climate adaptation strategies for vulnerable populations. Given the region's susceptibility to climate change, sea-level rise, and cyclones, cutting-edge climate research has become urgent. Satellite imaging, predictive analytics, and AI-driven early warning systems could aid disaster preparedness. Innovative coastal infrastructure like floating cities and bioengineered mangroves could also reduce climate risks.

Equally important is the need to develop a new generation of scientists and researchers within the country. This will require a concerted effort to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at the primary and secondary levels, as well as the establishment of specialised graduate programmes and research fellowships.

Furthermore, strategic partnerships and exchange programmes with leading global research institutions can help transfer knowledge, technology, and best practices. This cross-pollination of ideas and expertise can accelerate the development of innovative solutions to the complex challenges facing the Bay of Bengal.

The time has come to harness the power of science to unlock the secrets of the Bay of Bengal and leverage our technological prowess to project influence on regional scientific and geopolitical challenges.

Dr Quamrul Ahsan is former professor at the Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
Dr AKM Saiful Islam is professor at IWFM, BUET.
Dr Anisul Haque is professor at IWFM, BUET.
Md Mahfuzur Rahman is former director general of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).
Dr Shamal Chandra Das is chief engineer of planning at BWDB.​