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Blue Economy For BD - Edited
Blue Economy For BD - Edited
Gunter Pauli’s book, “The Blue Economy: 10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs”
(2010) brought the Blue Economy concept into prominence. The Blue Economy is envisaged
as the integration of Ocean Economy development with the principles of social inclusion,
environmental sustainability and innovative, dynamic business models.
The European Commission (2012) has defined the concept of blue economy as “all economic
activities related to the oceans, seas and coasts. This includes the closest direct and indirect
supporting activities necessary for the functioning of these economic sectors, which can be
located anywhere, including in landlocked countries”.
Optimizing the benefits received from the development of their marine environments
eg fishery agreements, bio prospecting, oil and mineral extraction.
Promoting national equity, including gender equality, and in particular the generation
of inclusive growth and decent jobs for all.
Having their concerns and interests properly reflected in the development of seas
beyond national jurisdiction, including the refinement of international governance
mechanisms and their concerns as States proximate to seabed development.
3. Sectors and Activities of Blue Economy
The concept of blue economy is subject to multiple interpretations of the coverage of
activities, geographical locations and sectors from the available literature, an indicative list of
sectors and the activities fall in those sectors are illustrated below;
Sectors Activities
Fishing Capture fishery, Aquaculture, seafood processing
Marine Biotechnology Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, seaweed harvesting, seaweed products,
marine derived bio-products.
Minerals Oil and gas, deep-sea mining (exploration of rare earth metals,
hydrocarbon)
Marine Renewable Offshore wind energy production, wave energy production, tidal
Energy energy production
Marine manufacturing Boat manufacturing, sail making, net manufacturing, boat and ship
manufacturing and repairing, marine instrumentation, aquaculture
technology, water construction, marine industrial engineering.
Shipping, Port & Ship building and repairing, ship owners and operators, shipping
Maritime logistics agents and brokers, ship management, liner and port agents, port
companies, ship suppliers, container shipping services, stevedores,
roll-on roll-off operators, custom clearance, freight forwarders,
safety and training.
Marine Tourism & Sea angling from boats, sea angling from the shore, sailing at sea,
Leisure boating at sea, water skiing, jet skiing, surfing, sail boarding, sea
kayaking, scuba diving, swimming in the sea, bird watching in
coastal areas, whale, dolphin watching, visiting coastal natural
reserves, trips to the beach, seaside and islands,
Marine Construction Marine construction and engineering.
Marine Commerce Marine financial services, marine legal services, marine insurance,
ship finance & related services, charterers, media & publishing.
Marine ICT Marine engineering consultancy, meteorological consultancy,
environmental consultancy, hydro-survey consultancy, project
management consultancy, ICT solutions, geo-informatics services,
yacht design, submarine telecom.
Education and Education and training, R&D.
research
(Sources: Compiled from Morrissey et al. (2010), EIU (2015a), Govt. of Ireland (2012) and
Marine Institute)
4. 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).
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. Among
the above mentioned 11 sectors Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock have wide scope for
developing Fishing, Marine Bio-technology and Education & research Sectors.
The Bangladesh coastline extends 710 kms 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. 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:
Normally about 80-90% of the annual rainfall is confined to the monsoon months (June-
September).
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.
4.3 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).
Cartilaginous (soft- 50 - -
boned) fish
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) -
aShrimp/Prawn; bAlgae; cSeaweed
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.
The number of industrial trawler operating in the Bangladesh fisheries water is 243 and 10
more long liner are in the pipeline through government decision those will be engaged in
deep sea fishing mainly to exploit large pelagic viz. tuna and tuna like species (Humayun M
Nasiruddin’15). There is also a tremendous increase in the artisanal fleet which numbered
more than 68,000 in mechanized and non mechanized categories. This scenario has result in
tremendous pressure on the resources. There are signs of overexploitation of some important
demersal species like grunters, threadfins, snapper and large croakers and catfishes. In this
desperate situation the fishers are trying to catch fish by decreasing their mesh size and other
destructive fishing practices with the consequence of both recruitment and growth
overfishing.
A number of surveys conducted since 1958 to 1986, proved the potentialities of demersal
fish, pelagic fish and shrimp stocks, but no survey was done since then. Detail survey for
pelagic fish resources have not yet been carried out in Bangladesh marine waters. Demersal
fish and shrimp surveys indicated a good abundance of large pelagic i.e. tuna and tuna like
fishes and sharks in Bangladesh fishery waters.
The recent verdict over the dispute resolution on maritime boundary by ITLOS and
Permanent Court of Arbitration increased the horizon and hopes to develop its fisheries
within the now undisputed area in the coming time. Bangladesh, in the mean time has
instituted several conservation and management measures within the artisanal and industrial
fisheries considering the welfare of the small scale fishers-comprising gear, temporal and
spatial restrictions as well as compensation during the closed season.
In order to explore enhanced economic return from Ocean Based natural resources fisheries
could be a priority sector where prevails multifaceted and confronting issues as well as
opportunities which is addressed for future consideration from own resources and foreign
assistance.
However, extension of human habitat is responsible for the destruction of mangroves. The
mangrove areas suffer from various manmade intervention viz. commercial and amateur
fishing, industrial waters disposal, urbanization, commercial and recreational shipping and
increased use of agricultural chemical inputs. Therefore, urgent attention is necessary to
investigate the various ways and degree of interventions that are responsible for destruction
of mangrove ecosystem in Bangladesh. Ship-breaking industry disposing different toxic
chemicals, fuel, oil, grease, heavy metals, suspended solid etc. to the coastal and marine
waters. This needs to be reduced quickly using proper treatment plant before disposal, but
fisheries department can do very little about it.
Explore the prospect of harvesting export oriented large pelagic species within
the EEZ and beyond
Tuna and tuna like fisheries have potential for development. Surveys by R.V. Fishery
Research No-2 (1979) and R.V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen (1979-1980) indicates presence of
some species of tunas and tuna like fishes in the EEZ of Bangladesh. BIMSTEC
survey indicate the feasibility of catching tuna near the EEZ of Bangladesh(latitude
16°N -19°N, longitude 88°E -91°E) particularly skipjacks with DGN .The
neighbouring countries like Myanmar and India are harvesting tuna and tuna like
fishes and exporting them to developed countries. But we are only catching tuna and
tuna like fishes as by catch of trawl and gill net fisheries. Viable option for harvesting
tuna like fishes from October to March during south west monsoon exist and
necessary exploratory trials with loglines and drift gillnet in the EEZ of Bangladesh
and also in the extended continental shelf may be explored.
To explore the possibility of economically harvesting those species, the steps needed
for the-
assessment of the stocks;
identifications of the migratory routes and seasons;
appropriate harvesting technologies;
joining as a member of IOTC and sharing the information.
Management of gravid mother of the tiger shrimp for optimization of the catch
and use of gravid mother of the tiger shrimp for hatcheries
Abundance of adult tiger shrimps (P. monodon), especially the gravid mother used as
brood-stocks for the coastal aquaculture industry have been declining. This has
resulted in the trawl industry expanding its operations into inshore waters (i.e. from
the 40 m depth contour to as shallow as 10 m) to maintain catches for the hatcheries.
Sometimes they catch too much and sometimes they cannot catch as per requirement.
The problem is repetitive and needs urgent attention. Therefore, it is necessary to
address the issue applying harvest control and use control strategy to control both use
and harvest rationally.
Mid-term
Digital Marine Fisheries Resource Mapping for the marine waters using digital
cartography of the marine fisheries resources
Digital Marine Fisheries Resource Mapping (DMFRM) is an essential tool for
efficient and sustainable harvesting of the marine resources. However, in all SAARC
countries this is either absent or not in a state of art position. If a common DMFRM
can be developed for the SAARC countries, that will be very useful all the countries
and at the same time will save the required investment in this respect.
Long-term
Short-term
Mid-term
Long-term
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
There are enormous prospects and potentials of blue biotechnologies using various
marine medicinal, nutritional and ornamental resources. In these respects some long-
term 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 bio-
chemicals) from sea snakes, string rays and puffer fishes; and exploration and
extraction of bioluminescence (light producing bio-chemicals) from bio- luminous
marine organisms.
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.
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