Illegal fishing threatens blue economy: Adviser Farida
Fish abundance in the upper ocean layer has fallen by 78.6% over the past seven years, she says
Uncontrolled and illegal fishing in Bangladesh's maritime territory is severely endangering the country's marine resources, ecosystem, and plans for a sustainable blue economy, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said today (2 December).
Speaking at the opening session of a four-day international conference, the adviser stressed that the issue cannot be addressed by any single nation and called for stronger regional and global cooperation.
The Institute of Marine Science of Chittagong University organised the conference titled "Marine Fisheries and Blue Innovation: Safeguarding Ocean Harmony," organised by at The Peninsula Hotel in the port city.
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Citing recent studies, the adviser said fish abundance in the upper ocean layer has fallen by 78.6% over the past seven years.
"Small pelagic fish stocks, which stood at 158,000 tonnes in 2018, have plummeted to just 33,811 tonnes in 2025. This gap is being filled by rapidly growing jellyfish populations – an alarming indicator of ecological imbalance," she warned.
Farida Akhtar noted that Bangladesh has skilled experts in oceanography and fisheries research, and urged policymakers to rely more on scientific findings.
She called for urgent measures in ocean-based planning, ecosystem protection, and climate-resilient fisheries management.
At the event, Chittagong University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Yahya Akhtar said Bangladesh has vast potential for research on marine resources.
He added that the Ocean Satellite to be installed at the university will introduce a new dimension to maritime research.
More than 200 researchers from home and abroad are attending the four-day conference.
Speakers at the conference underscored the importance of advancing the blue economy, conserving the marine environment, and ensuring sustainable management of ocean resources.
