Blue economy at risk from illegal fishing: Farida

Staff reporter :

Unregulated and illegal fishing in Bangladesh’s maritime waters is posing a serious threat to marine resources, ocean biodiversity, and the country’s long-term blue economy ambitions, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar warned on thrusday.

Speaking at the opening of a four-day international conference, she said the crisis is too large for any single nation to tackle alone and urged stronger regional and global collaboration to protect the oceans.

The Institute of Marine Science at Chittagong University organised the conference titled “Marine Fisheries and Blue Innovation: Safeguarding Ocean Harmony” at The Peninsula Hotel in Chattogram, with more than 200 local and international researchers participating. Citing recent studies, Adviser Farida issued an alarming update: fish abundance in the upper ocean layer has dropped by 78.6 percent in just seven years.

“Small pelagic fish stocks have fallen from 158,000 tonnes in 2018 to only 33,811 tonnes in 2025.
The vacuum is being filled by an explosion in jellyfish populations an unmistakable sign of ecological imbalance,” she said.

She highlighted Bangladesh’s strong pool of experts in oceanography and fisheries research and urged policymakers to place greater trust in scientific evidence. Immediate action is needed in ocean governance, ecosystem protection, and climate-resilient fisheries management, she added.
Chittagong University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Yahya Akhtar said Bangladesh holds immense potential for advancing marine research.

He noted that the upcoming installation of an Ocean Satellite at the university will open a new frontier for maritime studies.

Speakers throughout the opening session stressed the urgency of strengthening the blue economy, safeguarding the marine environment, and ensuring sustainable and equitable management of ocean resources.