Exploiting marine resources

Throughout history man has relied heavily on seas or oceans. With the emergence of nation-states, the need for demarcation of maritime boundary proved indispensable. This was a sine qua non for avoiding disputes over the littoral rights. With the passage of time, overexploitation of marine resources has become a headache for many countries but Bangladesh has little means to getting reasonable access to its sea resources. Let alone the exploration of gas, oil and precious metals and minerals under the seabed, the country is yet to practise modern fishing in order to make good use of the probable catches in its territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal, world's largest bay of its types. The seven countries forming its triangular shorelines or finding themselves placed right inside as islands together are credited with a total catch of six million tonnes of fish annually but Bangladesh's share is a paltry 0.29 million tonnes. Disappointing facts like these have been disclosed at a seminar under the title, "Protection and Preservation of Maritime Zones, Marine Resources of Bangladesh and its Conservation" held recently in the city.

If this does not say it all, the country's incapacity to have access to the deep sea for fishing only adds to the frustration. Deep sea fishing is a big business but the country's wooden boats or trawlers can fish within 20 sqkm (square kilometre) and 40 sqkm respectively. Of the 270 nautical-mile maritime boundary where the country has its exclusive rights, Bangladeshi fishermen have the capacity to catch fish within only 60 to 70 sqkm. Then there lies the high sea occupying 200 million sqkm beyond the country's maritime boundary where any ship can catch fish. Question does not arise for fishermen from this country to venture to that zone, particularly when they do not have the necessary vessels and equipment to fish within their exclusive boundary. The total volume of catch within this exclusive zone can go up several times if modern vessels helped by all necessary supports can go for proper fishing.

Yet fishing alone is not what comprises the marine resources. Offshore gas, oil or mineral blocks can feed an energy-starved country like Bangladesh for a long time. Experts are optimistic that the Bay of Bengal can be a potential source of oil or gas. Even striking mineral deposits under the sea cannot be ruled out. Now the question is, why is the country not going for exploration of such deposits in the Bay of Bengal? One simple answer is that this country has not enough resources and expertise to look for offshore blocks full of oil or gas. It will have to hire foreign companies to do the job for it. Parties interested in doing the task for the country bargain for the best bet for them. It is a hidden world and once the knowledge of the resources becomes public, foreign companies will compete with each other for getting access to the resources. There is a need for a coordinated move by political leaders and local experts to make foreign companies convinced of the merit of their involvement with exploration projects in the Bay of Bengal.