BLUE ECONOMY IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF BANGLDESH:

PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

INTRODUCTION:

Marine resources are valuable assets of a nation that perpetrate the economic growth,
environmental sustainability and uphold a fine balance of ecological diversity. Marine
resources contribute enormously not only to commercial fisheries but also to marine
tourism, underwater mining industry and marine transportation industries. These
resources posses great environmental as well as economic value. Well-grounded
management and legitimate utilization of these recourses for economic purpose is a
phenomenon termed as “Blue Economy”.

Figure 1: Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach

SIGNIFICANCE OF BLUE ECONOMY:

According to conventional definition, blue economy has been described as,” Blue economy
is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and
jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.”

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 Figure 2: Significance of Green Economy

The green economy is defined as economy that aims at reducing environmental risks and
ecological scarcities, and that aims for sustainable development without degrading the
environment. It is closely related with ecological economics. Blue economy is a part of
“Green economy” that aims at reducing environmental risks related to marine and coastal
areas and aims at sustainable marine development without degrading the ecology
environment.

Blue economy has engendered an opportunity for coastal counties to utilize their marine
resources at national and international level. According to Blue Economy Concept Paper
(2012), Oceans cover 72% of the surface of our blue planet and constitute more than 95%
of the biosphere. Oceans are significant to environment and human kind in the following
ways:

 Oceans contribute to life by generating oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide.

 Oceans recycle nutrients and regulate global climate and temperature.

 Oceans and marine resources provide livelihood to people.

 Oceans are home to a diverse array of fishes, coral, plants and minerals.

 Coastal countries rely on the ocean, beaches and marine environment for tourism

activities.

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 Oceans and seas are important transportation routes for national and international

export-import trade business.

 Oceans are natural reservoirs of natural gas and minerals.

 The ocean also offers vast potential for renewable “blue energy” production from

wind, wave, tidal, thermal and biomass sources.

 Faster internet connectivity and seamless global trade is possible only because of

oceans.

 Seabeds provide a global supply of 32% hydrocarbon.

 Oceans and its resources contribute to scientific study, research and sustainable

developments.

Figure 3: Significance of Blue Economy

The world largely depends on oceans and specifically blue economy in order to

propagate the scientific, environmental and monetary aspects of nations.

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SECTORS OF BLUE ECONOMY:

 Aquaculture, algae culture

 Fishing
 Maritime Biotechnology
 Bio-prospecting
 Maritime Transportation
 Off-shore oil and gas
 Mineral resources
 Waste disposal
 Existence of biodiversity
 Coastal protection
 Desalination
 Ship building and Ship repair
 Maritime and coastal Tourism
 Carbon Sequestration
 Off-shore wind , tidal and wave power

BLUE ECONOMY IN BANGLADESH:

Bangladesh, a riverine country, is blessed with a marvelous geographical position .The

placement of Bangladesh in an attractive coastal area makes it extremely convenient to
properly utilize its blue economic resources.

Bangladesh is surrounded by a lush of blue ocean, Bay of Bengal which is rich in marine
resources, making it ideal for our government to channelize blue economy.

There are a number of sectors that posses immense potential in terms scientific and
economic value if the blue resources are capitalized in a profitable yet sustainable manner.

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 Figure 4: Coastal Position of Bangladesh

PROSPECTS OF BLUE ECONOMY IN BANGLADESH- POTENTIAL SECTORS:

 Marine Tourism: Marine tourism is a field of brilliant opportunities. Natural

oceanic attractions like Cox’s bazaar, Saint Martin Island, Kuakata Sea beach etc
have great potential to become world quality tourist spots. Proper tourism and
hospitality management highlight these attractions to the world and utilize the true
potential of the oceans.

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 Figure 5: Spot for Marine tourism(St.Martin Island)

 Renewable Energy: Ocean can be a major source to generate bio-diversifiable

renewable organic energy. Ocean waves, tides ,wind, thermal and biomass sources
can be sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels and harmful chemicals.

Figure: Renewable energy generation

 Employment Opportunities: Bangladesh has a massive population for small

country. This population can be turned into valuable human resource through
education , training and dispatching scientific knowledge . If government takes
initiative to train people in marine science and the effective utilization of marine

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 resources , Bangladesh will witness advancement and positive growth in blue
economy.

 Fisheries & Export: The oceans of Bangladesh are filled to the brim with
valuable economic resources like natural gas, minerals and fisheries. The surplus of
fisheries can be exported to western and Middle Eastern countries to earn foreign
currency. This can be a source of stable income for Bangladesh .

Figure 6: Fishing in ocean

 Maritime Transport: Maritime transport is the shipment of goods (cargo) and

people by sea and other waterways. Port operations are a necessary tool to
enable maritime trade between trading partners. As Bangladesh has convenient
coastal position , it can easily avail the benefits and opportunities of trade that
comes with sea ports.

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 Figure 7: Chittagong port

 Marine Research & Development: Bangladesh has an abundance of oceanic

resources that makes it a prospective field for scientific research and development.
New species of plants, fish and other sea-water resources can be discovered in
Bangladesh if proper assistance and co operation is provided to marine biologists
and scientists. Very recently , in January 2018, Bangladesh Institute of Maritime
Research and Development, in short, BIMRAD was established in Bangladesh for
scientific research and development.

Figure 8: Bangladesh Institute of Maritime Research and Development

 Shipbuilding & port facilities: Shipyards have began to show new hope in
terms economic growth. As Bangladesh has some important coastal ports ,
Chittagong Mongla, Payra etc , they can be rented out to countries surrounded by
land and earn customs remuneration.

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 Figure 9: Shipyard

 Submarine mining: Submarine can be used to draw valuable natural resources

,natural gas and minerals from underwater. Bangladesh has recently bought attack
submarines . However specialized submarines can be used to make the proper use
of underwater assets , but for this purpose the government needs proper funds.

Figure 10 : Submarine Mining

CHALLENGES IN ADVANCING BLUE ECONOMY IN BANGLADESH:

 Governance of oceans: Governance of oceans is a key challenge global and

national challenge. Oceans are facing major ecological risk and existential crisis that
can negatively influence socio-ecological development. The number of regional

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 agreements and global conventions make it difficult to ensure the participation of
coastal countries like Bangladesh.
A proper solution is needed on the basis of an appropriate balance between the
demand for ocean’s natural resources and their sustainability.

 Lack of legitimate policy: As Blue economy is a phenomenon that is still

being unraveled in Bangladesh, there is a lack of guidelines and policies to
ensure the proper regulation of the elements associated with blue economy.

Figure 11: Challenges of blue economy

 Waste management: Waste management can become a severe hindrance

when it comes to materialization of blue economy. Ships releasing engine
fuels into water, shipyard waste, mass tourism litter, heavy and dense
localization in coastal areas lead to the collection of severe debris in sea
water that is extremely harmful for marine environment, bio -diversity and
ecology.

 Climate Change: The climate affects the ocean and the ocean affects the
climate. Due to climate change the ocean gets warmer and the sea level rises
that brings hazardous repercussions to humans and the environment. Because
of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, this warming will have
an effect on the bicarbonate buffer of the ocean.

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 Mismanaged Mass tourism: Although tourism is undoubtedly one of the
strongest aspects of blue economy in Bangladesh, mismanaged mass tourism
exposes the marine resources, biodiversity and environment to significant
threat. Unplanned mass tourism leads to crowd, litter and waste and
pollution. It also leads to building of infrastructure , hotels and resorts that
destroys the natural balance and hampers the ecology.

Figure 12: Sewerage waste on Cox’s bazaar sea beach

 Lack of fund , substantial infrastructure & expert workforce: In order

for a nation to benefit from the utilization of marine resources and blue
economy there needs to be effective and efficient workforce. Without
knowledgeable, trained and efficient man power it is not possible to engineer
the full effect of blue economy to reap profit.

In addition, infrastructure is another issue when it comes to blue economy in

Bangladesh. In order to benefit from blue economy the Government needs to
make huge investments in the field of marine research and development.
Sustainable infrastructure and its proper management require heavy
investment and resources, which can be difficult for Bangladeshi Government.

 Acidification & pollution of water: Increased amount of carbon dioxide in

water disrupts the ph level. It gets absorbed in the ocean from the

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 atmosphere. This phenomenon exposes the marine resources to lethal risk
and destroys the potentials of the sustainable growth and management of
blue economy.

Figure 13: Acidification of Ocean water

MEASURES TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES:

In order to overcome the hurdles to the effective materialization of blue economy

following steps can be adopted:

 Government must ensure that marine resources are not exploited for illegal profit.

 There is a small number of marine research and educational institutions working to

provide information at present .Government must take initiative to establish
Standard modernized scientific institutions dedicated to the research and
development of marine science and resources.

 Tourism in Bangladesh has been on the rise in recent years with beaches and oceans
as a focal point of attraction. Tourism ministry should take necessary steps to
educate tourists on the welfare of environmental and ecological sustenance. It
should be adhered to that while promoting tourism in coastal areas ecological
balance is not disrupted and marine resources are protected.

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  Oceans are becoming polluted due throwing plastic, emission of oil from ship or
boat engine, green house gases etc. Appropriate steps should be taken to clean the
oceans of all debris and maintain a healthy environment for marine resources.

 Surveillance and security must be tight-lined in coastal areas to prevent invasion

and smuggling of marine resources.

 Government, scientists, ocean practitioners and global leaders and representatives

from government, businessmen, civil society and international organizations must
come together to explore action-oriented partnerships, governance arrangements,
investment frameworks and financing vehicles to turn the tide not only on the
health of oceans but also how the resources of the sea could be used for economic
emancipation.

 The coastal and marine fisheries of the Bay of Bengal must be able to provide a
salient feature of the available information and resource base and to identify future
research and management needs.

CONCLUSION:

In order to become a middle-income country by 2021 Bangladesh must fulfill some

prerequisites given by The World Bank, one that clearly states that job creation must be
given absolute priority. To strengthen the core of our economy and to create large-scale
employment opportunities, focus must be shifted to the efficient and sustainable
actualization of blue economy. Ocean and its contents are vital resources of utmost
importance to Bangladesh and her people. The livelihood of a majority of Bangladeshi
people and environmental welfare rely largely on the proper treatment of the ocean and its
resources. With large-scale nationwide training of prospective workforce, government can
create employment in the promising sector of blue economy. Environmental science and

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marine biology must be taught extensively in educational institutions so that students gain
insight on marine resources, ecological balance and biodiversity. Strict measures must
taken and executed carefully to protect the oceans and environment against adversities.
Blue economy can be the gateway to scientific and economic development of Bangladesh.
Therefore, scientific education and training in capitalizing the benefits of blue economy is
of utmost importance.

Figure 13: Sustainable Blue Economy (Ocean panda.org)

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