Norwegian vessel to conduct research in Bangladesh's maritime waters

The government is going to launch a comprehensive survey on fisheries resources and ecosystems across Bangladesh's 118,813 square kilometres of maritime territory, aiming to ensure sustainable use of marine resources.

With support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Norway's research vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen will carry out the month-long survey from 21 August to 21 September, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter said at a press conference at the Secretariat today (19 August).

A total of 26 researchers, including 13 from Bangladesh, will participate in the upcoming expedition. They will evaluate the abundance of small pelagic and mesopelagic fish in both coastal and deep-sea areas and study overall ecosystem health.

The survey will also collect data on sea levels, temperature, salinity, nutrients, turbidity, productivity, and ocean currents.

Highlighting the ecological importance of the Bay of Bengal, the adviser said the survey would assess fish stocks, monitor the marine ecosystem, and analyse the impacts of climate change — contributing to future strategies for sustainable fishing.

"Mesopelagic fish and plankton form the foundation of the marine food chain. By assessing their biomass, diversity, and distribution, we will gain vital insights into the productivity of commercial fish stocks," Adviser Farida said.

This will not be the vessel's first mission in Bangladesh's waters. The Fridtjof Nansen previously conducted surveys in 1979, 1980, and most recently in 2018, in collaboration with FAO and Norway's Institute of Marine Research.

She expressed hope that the survey would unlock new opportunities in deep-sea fishing, strengthen the country's scientific knowledge, and provide a solid basis for formulating national policies on marine conservation, sustainable harvesting, and climate adaptation.

Farida Akhter described the initiative as a "milestone in Bangladesh's marine resource management," adding that the scientific data collected from the survey will directly inform national policies aimed at conserving Bangladesh's fishery resources, promoting sustainable harvesting, addressing climate change, and safeguarding the marine environment.

In addition, it would also build the capacity of local scientists and promote international cooperation. Habitat maps based on sea depth and environmental conditions will be developed to aid species conservation and fisheries management, she added. 

The survey report is expected to be submitted to the government within six months, after which policy decisions will be made regarding the exploration and sustainable use of Bangladesh's marine resources.