MARINE FISHERIES RESOURCES IN BANGLADESH: PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

ABSTRACT: Bangladesh is enriched with its diversified marine fisheries resources. The recent increase in the country’s maritime area from its neighboring states, India and Myanmar, has opened a new window for fostering marine fisheries production in Bangladesh. This review aimed to discuss the present scenario of marine fisheries resources with their prospects in Bangladesh. The huge marine water area of 118,813 sq. km. supports many commercially important organisms, including 475 species of finfish, 36 species of shrimp, 16 species of crab, and 165 species of seaweed in Bangladesh. The marine water supplies 55.48% of country’s total production of Hilsha in Bangladesh. Overall, marine fisheries contribute 15% of the total fisheries production of 4.621 million metric tons (MT) during 2020- 2021. However, the sustainability of the marine fisheries resources is a great challenge to Bangladesh. Recently, climate change and the installation of coal-based power plants near the sea area have been the major concerns for maintaining the proper ecosystem of the marine water. Furthermore, due to a lack of stock assessment, lack of modern fishing vessel and scientific management strategies, marine fisheries resources have not yet been harvested rationally. Notably, the blue economy (BE) is an emerging concept in the country for the sustainable use of marine resources. In order to flourish the BE, sustainable conservation, management, and exploitation of these marine resources are necessary. 

Keywords: Marine, fisheries, status, blue economy, prospect