Tapping marine resources in Bay of Bengal

The growing adverse impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and biodiversity is undeniably a matter of great concern. In this context, the foreign minister has strongly pleaded for particular emphasis on the ongoing international scientific studies on the Bay of Bengal and likely changes in marine fish stock. Speaking at the recent 'Global Oceans Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth' held at the World Forum in Amsterdam, he made a seven-point recommendation on a host of issues relating to growth of marine fisheries in the Bay of Bengal. Furthermore, he mentioned that the government had paid added attention to promoting the growth of 'Blue Economy' as part of Bangladesh's long-term national development strategy.
Now that Bangladesh has settled its maritime dispute with Myanmar and is set to solve similar problems with India, the country should immediately go for a comprehensive policy for development and exploitation of its vast marine resources in the Bay of Bengal. The country's full access to the high seas up to 200 nautical miles is now recognised and guaranteed, as are its undisputed rights to the fish within its off-shore territorial waters and the natural resources beneath its seabed. Bangladesh had claimed 107,000 square kilometres while it got 111,000 square kilometre area in the Bay of Bengal, thanks to the judgement of the relevant international court.
A survey is needed for proper management, expansion and exploration of marine resources in the Bay. But sadly, the vast ground of marine resources, which earn around 92 per cent of the annual export of fishes, is yet to be properly surveyed, managed and explored. No remarkable survey could be done on a large area identified as the Exclusive Economic Zone in the Bay of Bengal since independence. As such, the fishing area could not be expanded there and remained confined to only four specific 'fishing grounds'. This also created the scope for illegal fishing in the Bay of Bengal by outsiders. A comprehensive survey could have eliminated the scope for misconception about the stock of fishery resources in the Bay. The country is collecting only one- fourth of the total stock of marine fishe. So, the formulation of a policy on the basis of a thorough survey for fishing and expansion of the fishing ground is essential.
There are about 511 species of fishes, including 36 species of shrimps, in the marine fishing ground in the Bangladesh territory against some 260 species of sweet water fishes. Of them, at best 30 species, which constitute around 25 per cent of the possible stock of fishes in the Bay, are caught. Lack of management has hampered proper exploration of the marine resources while unchecked fishing and rampant catching of fish fries has caused a decrease in productivity of marine fisheries alarmingly. Nothing could so far be done to check this menace or develop the marine fisheries. Institutional weakness and absence of a policy in this regard now stand in the way.
Remote sensing techniques can be utilised directly, indirectly or as general aid in the detection and assessment of fishery resources. The process of gathering information about the oceanographic conditions that affect the harvesting strategies and fishing operations has been developed in the neighbouring countries. This can be utilised through regional cooperation blocs. The Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organisation (SPARRSO) with its limited facilities has applied the remote sensing technology to inland, coastal and marine fishery resources on a limited scale. But more needs to be done under a comprehensive action plan. Some realistic projects using satellite remote sensing should particularly be undertaken by the department of fisheries, in collaboration with SPARRSO and allied organisations, without wasting any more time. Furthermore, setting up of a separate department of marine fisheries merits consideration.