Survey discovers 65 new marine species in Bangladesh, 5 potentially new to the world

Preliminary findings from the EAF-Nansen Programme 2025 survey reveal that 65 marine species have been recorded for the first time in Bangladesh, with five of them potentially new to the world — a major milestone for the country's marine biodiversity research.

TBS Highlights

The results were unveiled at a programme titled "EAF-Nansen Survey 2025 Findings and Way Forward for Sustainable Marine Fisheries Resource Management in Bangladesh," held yesterday at a Dhaka hotel. The event was organised jointly by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and Norad — coinciding with FAO's 80th anniversary and five decades of Bangladesh-FAO partnership.

The month-long survey, carried out between 21 August and 21 September 2025, covered Bangladesh's entire maritime territory — an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) spanning 1,18,813 sq km. As part of the mission, researchers conducted oceanographic measurements, fisheries trawling, plankton and jellyfish studies, and microplastic sampling.

Prior to this survey, Bangladesh's recorded marine fauna numbered 475 species. With the new findings, the number has increased substantially. While the exact names of the newly recorded species have not yet been publicly released, researchers say samples have been forwarded to a lab in South Africa for detailed analysis and confirmation. 

According to Md Abdullah Al-Mamun — assistant director at the Department of Fisheries and Co-Cruise Leader of the EAF-Nansen Leg-2.5 — the survey reached unprecedented depths of up to 730 metres, deploying nets in previously unexplored zones. This depth range may have helped uncover species new to science.

The international research effort included a 40-member team, bringing together marine biologists and experts from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Norway and FAO. They carried out extensive biological sampling, species documentation, and larval identification. 

Plankton sampling alone covered 32 stations, yielding 9,794 fish larvae (including tuna larvae), while the team also collected 418 microplastic particles. Jellyfish were recorded across all trawl stations; their distribution and abundance were mapped for the first time in this survey.

At the announcement event, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter indicated that the new survey findings — combined with data from the previous 2018 expedition — will inform future fisheries management plans, resource conservation strategies, and long-term marine policies aimed at coastal communities. She added that experts have called for a modern research vessel to strengthen Bangladesh's marine science capacity, and the government will try to pursue that goal. 

The 2025 survey forms part of the broader FAO@80 and "Bangladesh: A Shared Legacy of Agricultural Transformation" celebrations. The day's agenda also featured youth-focused innovation meetups, technical sessions on pesticide risk reduction, and policy panel discussions on ocean health, sustainable fisheries, and long-term climate resilience.

Jiaoqun Shi, FAO representative in Bangladesh, said, "Bangladesh's agrifood transformation is—and will always be—a shared journey powered by communities, innovators, and partners. Together, we carry forward the energy, ideas, and support needed to shape a resilient future."

Among others Abu Tahir Muhammad Zaber, secretary of the ministry, Hákon Arald Gulbrandsen, Norwegian ambassador, and  Dr Md Abdur Rouf, director general of the Department of Fisheries, spoke at the event. They highlighted that the survey is a significant step toward sustainable marine resource management and will strengthen the capacity of Bangladeshi marine scientists.