Blue Economy in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, discussions on blue economy started after the settlement of maritime boundary delimitation dispute with Myanmar and India. The declaration of verdict by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Germany in the delimitation case with Myanmar on 14 March in 2012. The award helped Bangladesh establishing sovereign rights over the living and nonliving resources of the Bay of Bengal in the Exclusive Economic Zone within 200 nm and in the continental shelf beyond 200nm. In the same way, the verdict with India declared on 7 July 2014 also allowed Bangladesh’s sovereign rights on all the living and mineral resources of the Continental Shelf extending upto 354 nautical miles. Bangladesh’s economy is sea borne to a good extent and with $ 130 billion GDP the country’s economy stands the 44th in the world.
Emphasizing the importance of ocean based economy Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (on 1st September’2014 in International workshop on Blue Economy at Dhaka) underscored the marine- based economic activities and management of sea and its resources through “Blue Economy”, saying such activities could create new horizon for the development of a coastal country like Bangladesh. The Bay of Bengal is an inseparable part of Bangladesh and is our third neighbour. There is no doubt that sea-related subjects like expansion of international trade, use of marine mineral resources for long-term energy security, proper management of marine fish resources and protecting marine environment and bio-diversity would determine Bangladesh’s future development and economic growth.
Today, 90% of the country’s trade is transported through the sea. The fish stocks and other inorganic resources in the Bay of Bengal can contribute greatly to our economy. Bangladesh earns substantially by exporting marine fishes. It is now more appropriate than ever to rely on ocean resources and management of such resources through the concept of Blue economy. HE Sheikh Hasina, PM also mentioned in the workshop that owing to the absence of maritime boundary demarcation, people of Bangladesh were not able to take any effective steps to exploit and explore the marine resources of the Bay of Bengal. Our fishermen in one hand faced difficulties in exploiting fishes in the sea, on the other hand, fishermen of other countries easily plundered our fish resources due to unsettled maritime boundary (MoFA, 2014).
Bangladesh has adopted Delta Plan-2100 in 2020, in which the maritime economy has been given priority. The plan adopts five strategies to harness the potential of the blue economy, one of which is the speedy completion of a multidimensional survey of marine resources. Through this, the government has taken up the first and foremost task of utilizing the maritime economy.
The concept of blue economy in our country can be developed as emerging sectors. There exists tremendous opportunities for Bangladesh to strengthen Ocean Based Economy.
1.Maritime Area
At the end of the final settlement of maritime border disputes with neighboring states Myanmar and India in 2012 and 2014 respectively, Bangladesh has received entitlement to 118,813 sq. km in the BoB comprising her territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (MoFA, 2014). Taking into account major river inlets and estuaries, which are together very much a part of the marine ecosystem, the total marine waters of Bangladesh stands at 121,110 sq. km of which coastal waters and the shallow shelf sea constitute about 20% and 35% respectively, the rest (45%) lying in deeper waters (Chowdhury 2014a). Almost all of Bangladesh’s marine fishing is carried out in shallow and shelf waters, beyond which no fishing is being currently done due to lack of vessel capacity and appropriate fishing technologies.
Within the BoB, Bangladesh has the widest shallow shelf region extending more than 100 nautical miles (185 km), 3-4 times wider than those of Myanmar, the eastern coast of India and the global average (65 km), providing a greater shallow bottom fishing area per unit length of coastline than its neighbors. Being located in the largest delta of the world means the coast of Bangladesh is in a continuous process of reshaping itself that will continue for millennia in the future, which translates on the ground into coastal erosion and accretion taking place all the time for centuries. This dynamic of the coast raised both havoc and opportunities.
2.Marine fisheries resources in Bangladesh
The fisheries resources play a significant role in fulfilling the demand of animal protein and socio-economic development of the country. For example, more than sixteen million people (about 11% of total population) of Bangladesh directly or indirectly depend on the fisheries sector for their livelihood. The BoB of Bangladesh is blessed with rich coastal and marine ecosystems, hosting a wide range of biodiversity, such as fishes, shrimps, molluscs, crabs, mammals, seaweeds, etc. (Table 1). A number of surveys examined the status of marine fisheries resources between 1970s and 1980s (Table 2), but no recent and comprehensive knowledge is available on the fisheries stocks, systematics, biological and ecological aspects of the coastal and marine fisheries of Bangladesh (Hossain D.M.H et al, 2015).
Table-1: Coastal and marine fisheries resources in Bangladesh
Category | Number of species (reviewed by) | ||
Hossain 2001 | Islam 2003 | Ahamed et al. 2012 | |
Bony fish | 475 | 475 | 442 |
Cartilaginous (softboned) fish | 50 | – | – |
Shrimp | 25 | 24 | 56a |
Crab | 15 | 50 | 16 |
Lobster | 5 | – | 3 |
Mollusc (Oyster) | 301(6) | 301(3) | 336 |
Algae/Seaweed | 56b | 20-22c | 168 |
Coral | 13 | – | 66 |
Starfish/Echinoderms | 3 | – | 4 |
Whale/Dolphin | 11 | – | – |
Squids (Cuttlefish) | – | 7(2) | – |
Table-2: Standing stock (in tons) of demersal fish, pelagic fish and shrimp of the Bay of Bengal during the1970s and 1980s.
Demersal fish | Pelagic fish | Shrimp | Reference |
264,000-373,000 | – | 9,000 | West (1973) |
160,000 | 90,000-160,000 | – | Saetre (1981) |
200,000-250,000 | 160,000-200,000 | 4,000-6,000 | Penn (1983) |
A total of 234 species of fish have been identified from the St Martin Island. Of which, 98 species are coral associated. The total number of recorded mollusk species from the St. Martin’s Island stands at 187 species. 7 species of crabs were recorded from the island. A total of 66 coral species were recorded, of which 19 are fossil coral. 36 living coral and the rest are under 6 families of sub class octocorallia. A total of 14 species of algae and 3 species of lobsters were recorded from the St. Martin’s Island.
Approximately 5-10% of the surface area of the sub-tidal zone of the St. Martin’s Island is covered with corals. Coral collection at the present rate is detrimental for their survival. Although the St. Martin’s Island is referred to as a “coral Island” no indication of coral reef formation was found in the Island. The earlier reports of “coral reefs” are in fact “boulder reefs”. (Tomascik, T.1997)
The harvest of marine capture fisheries was 379,497 tons during 2000-2001 that ramped up to 588,988 tons in 2012-2013 (DoF 2014) and sold as frozen (transported to large cities and overseas) or fresh in local markets. A considerable amount of fish are salted and dried, mainly for human consumption. Incidentally, the use of dried fish as a source of fishmeal is gradually increasing due to intensification of fish and poultry farming. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha)is the larget and single most valuable species with annual catch of 340,000 MT, and generates employment and income for 2.5 million people valued at $US 1.3 billion per year (BOBLME 2012, Hossain et al. 2014).
At present 50-60% of global hilsa catch takes place in the coastal and marine waters of Bangladesh, 20-25% in Myanmar, 15-20% in India and the remaining 5-10% in other countries. A total of 46,568 MT tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) was caught from BoB during 2012-2013 (DoF 2014), most of which directly go to the processing plant and end up in the markets of USA, EU and Japan. Over the last 10-15 years, live giant mud crab (Scylla serrata) and estuarine eel (Muraenesox bagio) have been exported to East Asian countries. Less than 20% exported live crab come from crab fattening by the marginal farmers of Satkhira, Bagerhat and Cox’s Bazar coasts. Moreover, the harvest of young and undersized sharks and rays are dried, while the large sharks are dumped overboard after removing their fins and some other body parts. The majority of phaisa (Setipinna phasa) caught in the coast are used to make fermented fish product.
3.Coastal Aquaculture
Shrimp Farming
In Bangladesh coastal aquaculture, mainly of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture, has taken place mainly on the reclaimed mangrove forested land in the Sundarbans at southwest part and in the Chokoria-sundarbans at southeastern part of Bangladesh. The cultural practice has gradually improved from extensive to semi intensive and there is huge area of improvement. The cultural practices are still more or less traditional system. The shrimp cultural areas are mostly large areas where the management techniques such as a optimum PH, temperature, salinity, weed and weed fish control is hard to implement. The use of quality seeds, safe water and bio-security are far from present.So shrimp production could be increase many folds even if the semi intensive culture was managed in a scientific way. Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), locally known as bagda, is the only brackish water (coastal) aquaculture species predominantly cultivated in the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat and Cox’s Bazar.
Shrimp farming expanded rapidly between 1970 and 1990, to about 183,221 hectares (Belton et al. 2011), mostly in ghers (piece of land protected from the sea by polders) under extensive production systems. This farming practice is significant to our national economy, earning the second largest foreign exchange for the country, about US$478 million (EPB 2012). Despite the immense potential for further growth, shrimp cultivation is facing multiple challenges related to disease outbreaks, technological barriers, poor compliance with quality standards, sourcing of seed, etc. By selectively overcoming these bottlenecks, shrimp cultivation can be intensified and the production improved considerably.
Crab Culture and Fattening
Different species of crabs are also available in marine waters of Bangladesh. Among them, mud crab (Scylla serrata) and swimming crab (Portunus sp.) are abundantly available (DFID 2003). The mud crab, Scylla serrata, is an important species having high export and culture potential. In the Sundarban, the Mudcrabs are known for their ‘export-quality flesh. Over the last decade this export-oriented and thriving crab fishery emerged as almost a hobson’s choice for the crab hunters. For hunting crab the newly turned fishers just to go in with a permit from Forest Department and collect literally whatever they can get. But back home this delicious dishes leave the World’s largest mangrove ecosystem; to which they are one of the main ecosystem engineers. In Sundarban they maintain habitats and provide nutrients to other species. If this unsustainable extraction on an unprecedented scale goes on, balance of Sundarban’s ecosystem will collapse.
Expansion of coastal aquaculture of non-traditional species
There are many potentially important species for mariculture such as, seabass, grouper, pomfret, mullets, edible oysters (Crassostrea sp. Saccostrea sp.), pearl oyster, (Anadrasp.), green mussel (Pernaviridis), clam (Meretrixmeretrix, Marcia opima), sea snails, swimming crab, squid, cuttle fish, sea weeds, sea cucumber, star fish, etc (Hossain 2004). However, due to the lack of technologies and adverse nature of the weather and coastal topography the possibility of maintaining rafts, pens and cages in the marine waters seems bleak. Hence the above species may be adapted for coastal aquaculture.
Suggestions and Recommendations
Short-term
- Promotion of environment friendly and sustainable shrimp farming systems in the coastal region of Bangladesh
- Development of sustainable crab culture and fattening in the coastal region of Bangladesh
Crab culture and fattening in a sustainable manner would be very essential on the light of the growing crab export industry to ensure the supply without hampering our natural stocks.
Mid-term
- Development of seed production and farming system of commercially important euryhaline species
The expansion of hatcheries technologies for mass seed production of some important marine fish like seabass, mullets, pomfrets and groupers may help in the development of coastal aquaculture of these important species.
Long-term
- Introduction of the coastal culture practices for potentially important species
The species would be seabass, grouper, pomfret, mullets, edible oysters (Crassostreasp. Saccostreasp.), pearl oyster, (Anadrasp.), green mussel (Pernaviridis), clam (Meretrixmeretrix, Marcia opima), sea snails, swimming crab, squid, cuttle fish, sea weeds, sea cucumber, star fish, etc.However, due to the rough weather condition a very large investment and effort would be necessary to start this.
- Mitigation and adaptive measures on the impacts of climate change
Mitigation and adaptive measures on the impacts of climate change scenarios need to be taken with great importance of the euryhaline (that can tolerate a wide range of salinities) coastal fisheries resources, which may fetch positive outcomes if taken proper measures.
4. Development of Marine Aquatic Products
Various frozen and dried marine products are produced and exported to many countries. Frozen products includes, mainly black tiger shrimp (P. monodon), some other shrimp and various white fish mainly Hilsa and pomfrets. Some value added frozen shrimp products like ready to eat and ready to cook products also produced and exported. Various dried and semidried products includes, ribbonfish, Bombay duck, croackers, pomfrets, air-bladder of various fish, shark fins and skin of skates. Some other products include shark liver oil, fish scale, dried sea weed, ornamental shells of molluscs and corals. Moreover, export of lives crabs are increasing day by day. The quality improvement and quality control as well as development of various new and new value added products targeting the national and international markets are the main issues in these fields.
For sustainable utilization of the marine fish and fish products post harvest preservation, processing, proper marketing and quality control practices are essential. Present practices in post harvest handling, processing and food safety practices need to extend to all areas and levels to be harmonized with to the international standards through short and long terms development strategies. Many species of fish have export potential. Product diversification and value addition in fish and shrimp processing and exploring new markets and consolidating the existing ones may form the core strategy to increase exports.
Suggestions and Recommendations
- Long-term research on preservation, processing and quality control of marine products Proper handling, preservation, processing and quality control mechanisms are essential to utilize the harvested marine species to get the best nutritional, palatability and economic benefits including the foreign exchange earnings. Therefore, long-term and continuous research and development must be taken with great importance.
5.Blue Biotechnology
There are enormous prospects and potentials of blue biotechnologies using various marine medicinal, nutritional and ornamental resources. However, at the moment not such technology is available in Bangladesh. Introduction of new and new biotechnology to utilize the benefit naturally produced biochemical are the main issues in this area.
Interest in marine biotechnology has been gaining momentum across the globe and the activity is expected to generate 10-12% annual growth in the coming years. This is largely for meeting the growing demands of bioproducts and biomaterials that cannot be guaranteed from terrestrial sources alone.
Marine biotechnology (or blue-biotechnology) is a young subset of biotechnology and simply refers as the science and technology that uses marine bioresources such as fish, algae, bacteria and invertebrates, or their parts, to bring desirable products and other benefits for humans.
Although, many institutes (BARI, BLRI, BJRI, BRRI, BTRI, NIB), research centres (BCSIR, ICDDR,B), universities and private organization of the country are involved in conventional (land-based) biotechnology works with mentionable progress and success (i.e., whole genome sequencing of jute, high-yielding varieties of rice, pest/ salt/ drought resistant crops, biofertilizers, vaccines, etc.), surprisingly there is no national marine biotechnology R&D institute and programmes.
The promising pharmaceutical and coastal aquaculture sectors as well as livelihoods of poor people of the country would benefit if marine organisms can be used as a source of new materials/ products especially for applications in health (antibiotics, anti-cancer, bioactives compounds, nutritional supplements, etc.) and food (marine fish, shrimp, molluscs, seaweed farming). To date, coastal/ marine aquaculture of the country is centred on only tiger shrimp (P. monodon) farming, but it is also a disease prone industry and economically less attractive. In order to enhance aquaculture productivity, domestication of new species such as grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), seabass (Lates calcarifer), white shrimp (P. indicus), mud crab (Scylla serrata) and their larviculture technology, and selective breeding schemes to develop disease-resistant shrimp stocks can be the suitable alternatives involving biotechnological approaches.
Nevertheless, numerous untapped novel microorganisms and under exploited fisheries
Suggestions and Recommendations
- There are enormous prospects and potentials of blue biotechnologies using various marine medicinal, nutritional and ornamental resources. In these respects some longterm initiatives would be: utilization of algae/ sea weeds and other unicellular organisms as food additives to enhance nutritional values of marine products; exploration and extraction of medicinal bio-chemicals like fangs (poisonous biochemicals) from sea snakes, string rays and puffer fishes; and exploration and extraction of bioluminescence (light producing bio-chemicals) from bio- luminous marine organisms.
6.Marine Education, Training and Research
Well-trained, skilled and educated human resources are the driving force of the development of an economy, who can participate in the globalization of business and the accompanying technological revolution. Dynamic and sustainable development is not possible without skilled work force. Having assessed the need of world market and local industry, appropriate courses on marine science/oceanography, ocean and coastal engineering, maritime education and trade are essential to introduce at tertiary education system. A large eligible population places Bangladesh in a suitable position to produce skilled human resources in almost any sector imaginable.
A thrust in blue economic growth may come from a large army of skilled coastal and offshore engineers, navigators, merchant mariners, fisheries technologists, biotechnologists, etc. and in a variety of other professions. There are reportedly shortage of marine officers and rating worldwide and shortage escalating about 20% every year. Philippines, China and India are supplying providing most of the officers to all the merchant ships around the globes. Even Myanmar and Sri Lanka are ranked ahead of India in terms of providing ratings. Bangladesh has enormous potential for seafaring job opportunities from its 18 private and public marine academies provided it can arrange on board practical training facilities for its would be seafarer and also can remain in the white list following STCW 95.
Recently the National Oceanographic Research Institute (NORI) has been established for coastal and oceanic research (Alam M. Khurshed, MoFA,2015).
7.Marine Pollution and other Environmental Issues
Municipal Waters, Industrial Pollution, Oil Pollution, Ship Breaking, Impact of Coastal Aquaculture on Environment, Natural Disasters, Sea Level Rise, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)-a transboundary problem. These are creating harmful to coastal and marine biodiversity. (Maruf, H 2004)
The sustainable management and eco-tourism on the Sundarbans would be one of our future endeavors. The following two inter-departmental programs may be initiated on the long-term basis:
- Integrated aquaculture cum forestation in the mangrove forest of the coastal region of Bangladesh through coordinated program with forestry
- Initiation of mangrove protection and enhancement, pollution control, protection of coastal embankments, reclamation of new islands/areas activities.