Marine Fisheries and Blue Economy of Bangladesh

Executive Summary

Oceans are increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of sustainable development, and for Bangladesh, they represent one of the country’s most valuable strategic assets. Following the settlement of maritime boundaries with Myanmar (2012) and India (2014), Bangladesh exercises sovereign rights over approximately 118,813 km² of maritime territory in the Bay of Bengal. Supported by the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna (GBM) river system and the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove ecosystem, this marine domain provides exceptional ecological, economic, and environmental opportunities. This chapter presents an integrated synthesis of Bangladesh's marine fisheries and blue economy, examining marine resources, fisheries production systems, economic contributions, governance, sustainability challenges, and future pathways for sustainable ocean development.

Bangladesh’s marine ecosystems support one of South Asia’s most productive coastal environments, sustaining rich biodiversity, productive fishing grounds, and valuable ecosystem services. Marine fisheries remain a key driver of the national blue economy, contributing significantly to employment, food and nutritional security, coastal livelihoods, and foreign export while advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The recent expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to approximately 10.5% of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) further demonstrates the country’s growing commitment to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem-based marine fisheries management.

 Despite these strengths, Bangladesh’s marine fisheries have reached a critical transition point. Following record production in 2021–22, declining marine landings indicate increasing pressure on fish stocks and coastal ecosystems. Overfishing, habitat degradation, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, marine pollution, and climate-induced changes in ocean conditions threaten the long-term sustainability of marine resources. At the same time, offshore and deep-sea fisheries remain only partially developed, leaving substantial economic potential still untapped.

 This chapter highlights that future progress depends not on increasing fishing effort but on strengthening governance, scientific capacity, and innovation. Recent advances in fisheries legislation, conservation measures, monitoring and surveillance systems, and regional cooperation provide an encouraging foundation. However, achieving sustainable resource use will require stronger science-based decision-making, integrated governance, digital fisheries management, and ecosystem-based approaches that balance ecological integrity with economic development.

 Looking ahead, Bangladesh possesses significant opportunities to transform its marine sector into a diversified and resilient blue economy through sustainable offshore fisheries, deep-sea fishing, climate-smart mariculture, blue biotechnology, blue carbon initiatives, digital fisheries governance, and value-added seafood industries. By integrating the latest scientific evidence, policy developments, production trends, and emerging opportunities, this chapter provides a comprehensive perspective on one of Bangladesh’s most strategic natural assets – The Marine Fisheries Sector. Overall, the chapter demonstrates that the country’s future success will depend not merely on the abundance of its marine resources but on its capacity to govern, conserve, and innovate sustainably, thereby positioning Bangladesh as a potential regional leader in sustainable ocean governance and blue economy development.