On the potential and constraints of mariculture development in Bangladesh

Sheikh Aftabuddin,Pierre Failler,M Gulam Hussain,Mamun Abdullah Al,Benjamin M Drakeford

doi:10.1007/s10499-020-00643-9

Sheikh Aftabuddin, Pierre Failler + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-020-00643-9

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Abstract

Development of a blue economy is firmly embedded in the development plans of Bangladesh. Advances in freshwater aquaculture have promoted Bangladesh to the fifth largest fish producer in the world. However, the marine resource base of Bangladesh, which is now even greater following the recent settling of disputes regarding maritime boundaries with neighbouring countries, lends itself to the development of marine aquaculture—known as mariculture. Several potential areas and opportunities for mariculture development have been identified for implementation under the concept of blue economy development in Bangladesh. We identify the most promising fish species as the hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha), seabass (Lates calcarifer) and the grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), and the shrimp species as black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), brown shrimp (Metapenaeus monoceros), Indian white shrimp (Penaeus indicus) and the mud crab (Scylla serata). Further, some non-traditional marine species like seaweed, microalgae, shellfish (mussel, oyster) and the sea cucumber offer considerable potential. However, there remain major challenges and constraints that need to be addressed in order for mariculture to further develop and contribute to a growing blue economy in Bangladesh. Most notably, ministries, departments and research institutions, along with interested private entrepreneurs, must collaborate to formulate strategies for effective development and implementation, so that mariculture can contribute to food security and economic development through export opportunities.

Highlights

Aquaculture has grown rapidly in Bangladesh from a production of almost nothing in 1980 to over 2 million tonnes in 2018 (World Bank 2019), with an almost doubling of output in the last decade
We developed the set of indicators based on studies performed in the “EU-BGD joint collaboration on Blue Economy” technical assistance programme (August 2016–July 2018) that engaged a wide range of stakeholders including Bangladeshi academicians, researchers, public agencies, commercial farms, technicians and aquaculture and fisheries exporters and importers
The potential candidate species for mariculture were determined by following the consideration of a number of factors specific to Bangladesh, such as local environmental conditions, local market drivers, available knowledge and capacity and the Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture (EAA)

Summary

Introduction

Aquaculture has grown rapidly in Bangladesh from a production of almost nothing in 1980 to over 2 million tonnes in 2018 (World Bank 2019), with an almost doubling of output in the last decade. The section assesses the potential for mariculture development in the coastal waters of Bangladesh, considering resource availability and species suited for cultivation. For sustainable mariculture development in Bangladesh, the dimensions used are environmental, economic, social, including governance and management, which provide the basis for the selection of indicators (Table 1).

Results

Conclusion