Bangladesh is steadily advancing toward economic growth, with its GDP projected to reach US$ 475 billion in the fiscal year 2025-26. Within this progress lies a critical yet fragile opportunity - the marine sector. Experts estimate that marine resource extraction alone could generate up to US$ 6.0 billion annually. With a maritime area of 118,813 square kilometres, the country stands at the threshold of a promising blue economy. However, this potential can only be realised by safeguarding coastal and marine biodiversity.
Food security, climate resilience, coastal ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions are closely tied to the ecological balance of the Bay of Bengal. Today, that balance is under increasing threat from pollution, mismanagement, climate change and excessive human pressure. The Bay supports rich biodiversity, including fish, shrimp, crabs, corals, mangroves and seagrass ecosystems, all of which sustain coastal communities. Yet unsustainable fishing practices, intrusion into breeding grounds, plastic and industrial waste, and unplanned coastal land use are steadily degrading these ecosystems, weakening livelihoods and increasing coastal vulnerability.
In response, the government has introduced Marine Protected Areas, seasonal fishing bans, food assistance for fishers, and designated trawling zones. While these initiatives reflect policy awareness, weak enforcement and implementation gaps have limited their effectiveness. One critical yet often overlooked factor is the role of coastal communities. Fishers are not merely resource users; they are frontline custodians of marine ecosystems. Encouragingly, community-led monitoring initiatives in Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Patuakhali, and Bhola, as well as co-management efforts in the Sundarbans, demonstrate the value of shared responsibility.
However, institutional challenges persist. Coastal communities are frequently excluded from decision-making, lack of access to information, and receive limited support for alternative livelihoods. To balance economic growth with conservation, Bangladesh must institutionalise community-based co-management, expand scientific research and biodiversity monitoring, strengthen waste regulation enforcement, and promote sustainable livelihood options. Protecting our marine resources is not optional - it is essential for a truly sustainable blue economy.
Ali Hasan Jihadi
Student
Patuakhali Science and Technology University
alihasanjihadi.ac@gmail.com
