Fishermen and coastal communities are among the most vulnerable and affected groups in the global climate crisis, yet they continue to be deprived of their basic human rights, including access to food, nutrition, health, education, water, housing, and cultural rights, due to the lack of sustainable initiatives.
Speakers at a seminar titled *“Road to Belém [COP-30]; Climate Crisis – Fishermen's Struggle and Civil Society Perspectives” made the observations on Tuesday. The event was jointly organized by COAST Foundation, World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP), and FIAN International at the CIRDAP Auditorium on Topkhana Road in Dhaka.
The seminar, moderated by COAST Foundation’s Executive Director M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, was addressed among others by, former Secretary and Executive Director of Nature Conservation Management (NACOM) Dr. SM Manjurul Hannan Khan, former Secretary and Deputy Director of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT) Abi Abdullah, Director of the Department of Environment Md. Ziaul Haque, CEO of Water Keepers Bangladesh Sharif Jamil, Board Member of Bangladesh Water Development Board Md. Aminur Rasul Babul, Project Director of the Fisheries Department Md. Shamsuddin, Assistant Professor of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Mir Mohammad Ali, President of Bangladesh Climate Change Journalists Forum (BCCJF) Kausar Rahman, journalist Md. Salauddin Bablu, journalist Md. Motahar Hossain, and fishermen representatives from Bhola, Ashraf Maji and Babula Maji, among others.
COAST Foundation’s M A Hasan presented the keynote paper titled “Rising Tides, Shrinking Coasts, and Sinking Rights: Climate Crisis and Struggles of Fishermen.”
He highlighted that the climate crisis is posing serious threats to the human rights of fishermen and coastal communities, calling for these issues to be prioritized in all climate negotiations.
M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said the crucial role of fishermen in restoring, conserving, and managing aquatic ecosystems must be recognized. “Our demands are not only about protecting ecosystems but also about ensuring human rights, food sovereignty, and the survival of fisherfolk and coastal communities in the face of the climate crisis,” he said, urging CSOs and the government to place these issues at the center of discussions at the upcoming COP-30 in Belém.
Dr. SM Manjurul Hannan Khan emphasized that before preparing the national position paper for the Belém Climate Conference, the government should consult with climate-vulnerable communities. “If the opinions of affected people are not included, the discussion becomes meaningless,” he added.
Abi Abdullah underlined the importance of ensuring meaningful participation of fishermen, especially women, in climate negotiations, policy formulation, and implementation at local, national, and international levels.
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Md. Ziaul Haque admitted that the human rights of fishermen have not been given due importance in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) but assured that the issue would be considered seriously during the NAP review in 2027.
He also stressed the need to raise voices collectively to ensure the interests of affected communities are reflected in the Global Goal on Adaptation indicators.
Md. Shamsuddin noted that open water bodies are shrinking due to unplanned infrastructural development, threatening the survival of native fish species.
Sharif Jamil pointed out that effective water management is impossible without resolving transboundary river issues, adding that the Delta Plan-2100 lacks such considerations and must be amended.
Fisherman representative Ashraf Maji said that the lack of cold storage, transportation, and direct market access forces them to sell fish to middlemen at low prices.
He urged the government to take necessary initiatives to ensure fair prices for fishermen.