Fisheries adviser inspects Bay of Bengal research vessel

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has inspected ongoing survey and research activities of the Department of Fisheries' modern research vessel, RV Meen Shandhani, in the Bay of Bengal.

The inspection took place yesterday and this morning.

During the visit, the adviser observed the use of advanced technology on board, the progress of the research, and the process of analyzing the collected data. The vessel collects information on sea depth, temperature, salinity, water quality, and biodiversity.

On Wednesday afternoon, a demersal survey was conducted five nautical miles off Inani in Cox's Bazar, followed by a nighttime shrimp survey 12 nautical miles off Kolatoli. Trawling operations collected 20 fish species and 10 shrimp species to assess trawl net performance.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Abu Taher Mohammad Jaber, Department of Fisheries Director General Dr Abdur Rauf, and RV Meen Shandhani skipper Lt Commander Sharafuddin attended the inspection. Dr. Moin Uddin Ahmed, Director of the Marine Fisheries Survey Management Unit, presented the research findings.

So far, the vessel has conducted 54 cruises, identifying 459 marine species across various zones and depths of the Bay of Bengal. These include 353 fish species, 26 shrimp species, 30 shark and ray species, 27 crab species, three lobster species, 14 cephalopod species, and six sea snake species.

At present, the vessel is conducting shrimp surveys (10–100 metres), demersal surveys (10–200 metres), and pelagic surveys (10–200 metres).