Marine fish stocks falling fast, Adviser calls for coordinated action

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has urged all relevant authorities to intensify coordinated efforts to protect Bangladesh’s marine fisheries resources, warning that fish should not be treated merely as a commercial product but as a critical pillar of the nation’s food security.

She made the remarks on Monday while speaking as chief guest at the inception workshop titled “Healthy Ocean”, held at a city hotel and organised by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and WorldFish, according to a press release.

Farida Akhter described the use of harmful fishing nets as the most alarming threat to marine biodiversity. Prohibited and unauthorised small-looped nets such as fash jal and behendi jal indiscriminately trap fish of all sizes, causing mass mortality and steadily diminishing overall fish stocks, she warned.

Citing a scientific assessment by Dr Fridtjof Nansen, she noted that fish availability in the Bay of Bengal has fallen by nearly 78 per cent over the past seven years. She said several marine zones are now experiencing oxygen depletion, while plastic pollution continues to rise at an “alarming level”.

Despite these concerns, the adviser highlighted some positive developments. Recent surveys have identified 65 new marine fish species, including five species previously unknown globally.

Farida emphasised that the Coast Guard, Navy, Department of Fisheries and other agencies are already working to protect marine resources, but stronger enforcement is crucial.

“We must consider whether fish is being harvested only from a commercial standpoint. Ensuring food for the people is far more important,” she said.

She called for tighter control on large trawlers and industrial fishing vessels, saying they must not be allowed to “catch whatever they want” and must be brought under strict regulatory measures. She also criticised the widespread practice of catching non-edible fish and discarding them back into the sea, causing severe environmental damage.

“Controlling mesh size and improving harvesting methods are essential,” she added.

The workshop was chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Mohammad Amir Hossain Chowdhury. Additional Secretary (Secretary-in-Charge) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Mohammad Navid Shafiullah, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Commodore Sheikh Mahmudul Hasan, and Director General of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdur Rouf attended as special guests.

WCS Bangladesh Country Director Dr Md Jahangir Alam and WorldFish Bangladesh Country Representative Dr Farook-Ul Islam delivered the welcome addresses.