Though the high-tech ocean survey vessel has successfully continued its assessment for the last two seasons, Bangladesh will have to wait for two or three more years to get reliable data on fish resources in the Bay of Bengal, according to experts, reports UNB.
During the survey in the last two seasons (November-April), the research vessel found a total of 298 fish species within the country's sea area, officials said.
The survey vessel, equipped with latest technology of fisheries and other oceanographic research, was procured from Malaysia in 2016 to assess the country's marine resources as Bangladesh got a vast sea area through the disposal of longstanding disputes with the two neighbouring countries-India and Myanmar.
"We'll reach a decision over the utilisation of marine fish resources after completing the survey for five years (2017-2021)," Fisheries and Livestock Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda told UNB.
According to initial findings of the survey, there are huge potentials of having a good stock of marine fish in the Bay of Bengal, he said.
Bangladesh will get a comprehensive and reliable data over the stock of fish resources in the Bay of Bengal by 2022 through the assessments being conducted by the survey vessel, the minister added.
He said the survey vessel can conduct assessment for six months (November-April) a year, while it cannot do in the remaining six months due to bad weather.
"The survey vessel has successfully completed its assessment in the two seasons (November-April). And it has so far found 349 species (of living resources), including 298 fish species in the sea," said Director General of Fisheries Department Md Goljar Hossain.
The DG said they will prepare a policy on tapping the fish resources after having the overall picture on the reserve in the country's marine boundary.
The policy will be prepared in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Vision 2041, said Goljar Hossain.
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