Sustainable use of sea resources in focus

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru said on Tuesday Bangladesh has yet to reap the benefits from the resolution of the maritime boundary dispute even after four years.
"We still are not capable of catching fish beyond 100 metres depth, although four years have passed since the victory over the maritime boundary," he said while speaking at an inaugural session of a two-day international workshop.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have jointly organised the workshop on "Bangladesh Blue Economy Dialogue on Fisheries and Mariculture" at a city hotel.
Speaking as the chief guest, Mr Khasru also said neighbouring countries like India, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia have benefited from maritime culture.
"We could not utilise the scope of cultivating fish in the sea and mariculture," he added.
Stressing the need for expanding mariculture technology in Bangladesh, he said a new door of immense potential has opened for using sea resources.
"Sea resources will help us reduce poverty, produce protein and nutrient-rich food, and mitigate climate change effects etc," he said.
Presenting a keynote paper, Fishcode Manager of FAO Jacqueline Alder said Bangladesh has to articulate a range of policy scenarios for development of the country's ocean economy and set clear targets for its transition to a blue economy.
She said a blue economy planning process is to develop systems for measuring and monitoring the performance of Bangladesh's ocean economy along targeted development pathways.
"Over time, the aim would be to incorporate measures of the economic value of natural capital," she added.
She said the country also needs to create a planning process for sustainable development of its ocean economy that includes active participation and decisions by a wide range of public agencies, linked by common objectives and active sharing of information.
Norwegian Ambassador in Bangladesh Sidsel Bleken said it is necessary to invest in maritime or mariculture, but investment needs to be regulated.
Sustainable use of marine resources is the key to ensuring effective implementation of the law of the sea and environmental legislation at both national and international level.
Secretary at Maritime Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Rear Admiral (retd) Khurshid Alam said it is a failure that the country couldn't yet float long liner to tap sea fish resources.
The country has around 70,000 small boats in the sea which go to the sea highest 25 km only, he said, adding that the global population would be 9.4 billion by 2050.
"Then main food would come from the sea. So, we have to ensure sustainable sea resources."
Director General of Fisheries Abu Sayed Md Rashedul said Bangladesh is actively working on the transition to sustainable economy.
"In this regard, Bangladesh has taken various steps including scientific research, holding national and international stakeholder meetings, organizing investment etc," he said.
FAO Representative in Bangladesh Robert D Simpson said Bangladesh has got membership of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.
Putting emphasis on sustainable use of sea resources, he said sea resources could help Bangladesh fulfil sustainable development goals.
Fisheries Secretary Md Raisul Alam Mondal chaired the inaugural session.

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