Ocean Guardian exhibition opens in Dhaka to raise awareness of threatened sharks and rays
Organised by WCS Bangladesh with the Forest Department and Fisheries Department
A three-day interactive exhibition titled "Ocean Guardian: Protecting Threatened Sharks and Rays in Bangladesh" began at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital today (6 April), aiming to raise public awareness about the conservation of these highly vulnerable marine species.
Organised by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Bangladesh in collaboration with the Bangladesh Forest Department and the Department of Fisheries, the exhibition will run from 6 to 8 April, open daily from 10am to 8pm.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam inaugurated the exhibition as the chief guest.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Faridul Islam said, "Many of our aquatic species are disappearing mainly due to human activities such as unregulated fishing, oil spills, and destructive practices like poison fishing. These actions are wiping out entire ecosystems, and if we fail to act now, future generations will suffer, including shortages in meeting their nutritional needs."
"Sharks, rays, and other marine species are vital to our biodiversity and ecosystem balance. Protecting them is not optional—it is our responsibility as beneficiaries of this planet. If we can conserve these species, we can ensure the sustainability of our oceans and natural habitats like the Sundarbans," he further said.
Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hosain Chowdhury said, "Sharks and rays are the 'guardians of the ocean' as they sit at the top of the marine ecosystem and help regulate its balance. If these species continue to decline, the entire marine ecosystem and biodiversity will be at risk. Protecting them is essential to ensuring the health of our oceans and the country's ecological sustainability."
The exhibition seeks to promote positive changes in public knowledge, attitudes, and practices to support ocean health and conservation.
The "Ocean Guardian" exhibition showcases the diversity of sharks and rays in Bangladesh's waters, the threats they face, and ongoing conservation efforts.
Scientific information has been simplified into engaging formats, including films, life-size models, interactive displays, games, and guided tours led by marine scientists.
Md Zahangir Alom, country director of WCS Bangladesh, told The Business Standard that while similar programmes are often conducted in coastal areas to engage fishers and local communities, organising the exhibition in Dhaka aims to involve urban residents as well.
He said raising awareness among city dwellers, especially students and future professionals, can help spread knowledge more widely, enabling them to advocate for marine conservation in their respective fields.
Visitors also expressed enthusiasm about the exhibition.
Badhan Das, a student from Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, said he learned many new things about sharks and rays and found the experience highly engaging.
Globally, sharks, rays, and chimaeras account for more than 1,200 species, with over one-third currently threatened with extinction, making them among the most endangered vertebrate groups, according to the 2025 update of the IUCN Red List, speakers at the event said.
They further added that Bangladesh hosts over 100 species of sharks and rays, with more than two-thirds at risk of extinction due to overfishing, hunting, and accidental capture, compounded by their slow growth and low reproduction.
As top predators, these species play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystem balance.
