Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday stressed the need for coordinated joint research with Japan, Indonesia and the Maldives to explore marine resources, mentioning that Bangladesh has a maritime area almost equal to its landmass.

“The problems need to be identified. Research must be coordinated with those who have expertise in this area. Through such efforts, new horizons of the economy will open,” he said.

Prof Yunus pointed out that although Bangladesh’s water area is comparable to its land area, the country has failed to utilise its marine resources effectively.

“We have not even been able to determine the volume of resources and their potential. These resources must be properly utilised, which will require extensive research and policy support,” he added.

Prof Yunus made the remarks when a survey and research report on marine fisheries and ecosystems, conducted by the research vessel RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen, was submitted to him by the committee at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Prof Sayedur Rahman Chowdhury of the Institute of Marine Sciences at Chittagong University, and Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries Dr Md Abdullah Al Mamun were present at the meeting.

The survey was carried out from August 21 to September 21 last year. A total of 25 scientists from eight countries participated, including 13 from Bangladesh.

Prof Sayedur Rahman presented the research findings at the meeting, revealing the existence of 65 previously unidentified aquatic species.

“The excessive abundance of jellyfish in Bangladesh’s deep sea is a sign of ecological imbalance, largely caused by overfishing,” he said.

The study also found plastic waste at depths of up to 2,000 metres, which researchers described as a matter of serious concern.

Compared to a similar study conducted in 2018, the report shows a decline in large fish populations in deep-sea areas, while fish stocks in shallow waters are decreasing at an alarming rate.

It was revealed that 270 to 280 large fishing trawlers operate in deep-sea areas, with around 70 using sonar for targeted fishing. Researchers described this as an aggressive practice that benefits deep-sea operators while causing losses for small-scale fishers in shallow waters.

Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter warned, “If targeted fishing continues in this manner, there is a risk that the Bay of Bengal will be depleted of fish. The government will take a decision regarding sonar-based fishing.”

The study also found a significant abundance of tuna in Bangladesh’s deep-sea waters, highlighting strong potential for commercial exploitation.

Besides, a fish breeding nursery was discovered beneath the Sundarbans, which the government has already ordered to be preserved.

The meeting was informed that the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy is in the process of handing over its multipurpose hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessel, HMS Enterprise, to the Bangladesh Navy.

The vessel will collect seabed, depth and other marine data, significantly enhancing Bangladesh’s marine research capabilities.