Bangladesh Aquaculture Network

A Collaborative Initiative under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP)

Bangladesh Aquaculture Network is a collaborative initiative dedicated to strengthening the country’s aquaculture sector by integrating scientific advancements, industry expertise, and sustainable practices. By bringing together researchers, policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and local farming communities, the network serves as a platform for knowledge-sharing, problem-solving, and capacity building. With a particular focus on brackish water crustacean and finfish aquaculture, this initiative is designed to enhance productivity, improve resource management, and promote environmentally responsible farming methods. Supported by the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP), the network not only addresses current challenges but also lays the foundation for long-term resilience and innovation in the sector. By fostering strong partnerships and encouraging the adoption of best practices, this initiative has the potential to create a lasting impact that extends well beyond the scope of the OCPP, contributing to the economic and ecological sustainability of Bangladesh’s aquaculture industry.

About the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP)

The Ocean Country Partnership Programme is funded through official development assistance (ODA) as part of the UK’s £500 million Blue Planet Fund. Through the OCPP, the UK government partners with ODA-eligible countries to deliver tangible and positive impacts on the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.

The programme supports countries to strengthen marine science expertise, develop science-based policy and management tools, and create educational resources for coastal communities. Bilateral partnerships under the OCPP are primarily delivered by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Under the sustainable seafood objective, the programme supports the development of the skills and expertise needed to adopt sustainable seafood practices. This will reduce risks such as the spread of zoonotic diseases from unsustainable or unsafe activities and will support trade in safe seafood. The programme will also support the development of better management, monitoring and enforcement capabilities regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. OCPP work in Bangladesh to-date has been delivered in collaboration with a number of organisations including the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU).

Introducing the Core Network

Under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP), we have established the core network for the “Bangladesh Aquaculture Network (BAN)”, a collaborative initiative dedicated to advancing sustainable aquaculture practices. This network is built upon a strong foundation of expertise, commitment, and shared vision, bringing together bona fide and highly capable organizations both national and international that are both results-driven and deeply invested in fulfilling the network’s objectives.

With a focus on innovation, research, and capacity building, BAN serves as a platform for strategic partnerships, knowledge exchange, and impactful solutions. Our members are not only experts in their respective fields but also passionate about creating long-term, positive change in the aquaculture sector. Through collective efforts, we aim to address key industry challenges, enhance market opportunities, and empower aquaculture communities—including smallholder farmers, women, and youth—to achieve sustainable growth.

As we move forward, we remain committed to driving meaningful progress that strengthens Bangladesh’s position towards a responsible and resilient aquaculture.

Network Partners (National):

1.  Institute of Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh Studies (IBBBS)
2. The Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF)
3. Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum (BFRF)
4. Khulna University
5. Shushilon
6. Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF)
7. FISHBYTE

Network Coordinators and Technical Assistance (International):

1. Evolved Research and Consulting (ERC)  – Network Coordination / Project Lead
2. Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) – (Client / Budget Holder), Technical Assistance
3. MacAlister Elliott and Partners (MEP) – Technical Assistance

Network Partners (National)

Institute of Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh Studies (IBBBS)

IBBBS is the only specialized public Maritime University established by the Government to produce skilled professionals to meet the maritime sector’s needs and fulfil the country’s vision for a thriving Blue Economy. The IBBBS places significant emphasis on marine fisheries and aquaculture and have established a dedicated department to create highly qualified graduates and postgraduates who can contribute to sustainable aquaculture, marine fisheries conservation, and effective management.

IBBBS was established by BSMRMU in 2018 to focus on delivering research activities within the maritime sectors at BSMRMU and has completed several national and international research projects including a current project on marine spatial planning, marine renewable energy and mariculture.

Head Office: Dhaka
Website:  https://bsmrmu.edu.bd/board/36

The Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF)

The BSFF is a non-profit research, advocacy and Business Support Organization. The central objective of the Foundation has been to provide fisheries and aquaculture industries with critically needed support for growth, sustainability and market access. BSFF has Memorandum of Understandings with relevant public and private sector institutions at the national, regional, and international levels.
BSFF extends a wide range of services to the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector to promote pro-growth initiatives, build up capacities, introduce new technologies in the production processes, facilitate trade, exports, investments and ensure social inclusion in the sector. It has also been increasingly working in wider areas to create the enabling condition for private sector investments and compliance with relevant sector specific norms and standards and environmental sustainability imperatives through research, dialogue, policy advocacy, organizing training, field level intervention to enhance production and other initiatives to overcome challenges faced by the sector.

Head Office: Dhaka
Website: http://shrimpfoundation.org/

Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum (BFRF)

BFRF is engaged as a national, non-political and non- profit professional body with the memberships from universities, DoF, BFRI, BFDC, BARC, NGOs, the private sector, and other departments involved and committed to fisheries and aquatic resources development. It is an umbrella organization with missionary zeal to serve the fisheries sector through enhancing collaboration among various stakeholders. BFRF is a professional body that has the overarching objective of providing a platform for scientific collaboration, team work and research and development activities in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, to improve livelihoods, promote sustainable development and investment.

Head Office: Dhaka
Website: https://bfrf.org/

Khulna University

Khulna University, a public university of Bangladesh, has 29 disciplines of which the Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline (FMRTD) has developed capacity to provide good quality education as well as to conduct national and international research projects in the field of fisheries and aquaculture. Major strengths of the discipline are its highly qualified permanent faculty members, standard class size (45 per batch), recently updated outcome-based curriculum and syllabus, interdisciplinary approach of the courses, and close proximity to the coastal and marine part of the country. This includes the world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, thereby providing easy access to relevant stakeholders.
KU provides well equipped laboratories including water quality, fish nutrition, pathology, molecular biology, and quality control, experimental fish hatcheries, biofloc and aquaponics systems and experimental earthen ponds. The FMRTD has experience working with government organisations, research organisations, NGOs, etc, for improving resilience and enhancing livelihoods of marginal people, particularly vulnerable fisheries stakeholders, dwelling in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Head Office: Khulna
Website: https://ku.ac.bd/

Shushilon

Established in 1991, Shushilan is a national NGO dedicated to improving the lives of poor and vulnerable communities, with a special focus on Bangladesh’s coastal regions. The organization works across all eight divisions, implementing over 458 projects in areas such as socio-economic development, education & ICT, health & nutrition, disaster resilience, climate change adaptation, environmental resource management, human rights, and good governance.With 755 staff, 275 volunteers, and 53 offices, Shushilan is committed to delivering impactful, sustainable solutions through collaboration, transparency, and innovation.

Head Office:  Khulna
Website: https://www.shushilan.org/

Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF)

Founded in 1975 by a group of visionary youths in Jessore, Jagorani Chakra Foundation (JCF) has been working to uplift underprivileged and vulnerable communities across Bangladesh. Initially focused on adult literacy, JCF soon expanded into non-formal education and broader community development efforts, pioneering interventions that address both social and economic challenges. Today, JCF operates in 53 districts, reaching 334 upazilas, 2,828 unions, and 14,758 villages, benefiting over 945,574 people. The organization runs diverse programs in poverty alleviation, food security, agriculture, climate change adaptation, disaster preparedness, microfinance, human rights, child protection, health, and good governance.

Head Office: Jesshore
Website: https://jcf.org.bd/

FISHBYTE

FISHBYTE is an aqua-tech company aiming to transform the low yielding aquaculture industry of Bangladesh.  Fishbyte work with smallholder farmers, assist them procuring high quality seeds from existing value chain and providing technical/advisory services to improve their farming practices to maximize production, simultaneously minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact.

Alongside supporting production, FISHBYTE, through its sister concern “Shrimp Bangla,” empowers farmers by ensuring fair pricing, efficient cold chain management, and a streamlined supply network. Their commitment extends beyond market access—by introducing mangrove-integrated shrimp farming in coastal regions, they are driving a sustainable aquaculture model that not only enhances shrimp production but also safeguards the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, against environmental degradation.

Head Office: Dhaka
Website: https://fishbyte.company

 

Network Coordinators and Technical Assistance (International)

Evolved Research and Consulting (ERC)

ERC is an independent multidisciplinary consultancy founded in 2019 to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ERC’s core offer is a high degree of academic and technical proficiency in ideation, research and planning.

ERC are passionate about protecting the environment and have a wealth of professional experience across a range of sectors, specialising in:
• Plastics, pollution and the circular economy
• ICZM, ocean governance, coastal and marine planning
• Climate change and environmental sustainability
• Environmental education and capacity building

ERC are highly experienced in carrying out programme management work and delivering transdisciplinary evaluations of policies, programmes and projects with respect to a range of key sustainability issues.

Head Office: New Forest, UK
Website: https://evolvedresearch.co.uk/

Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)

Cefas is an executive agency of Defra. It is an applied science agency that primarily supports government decision making whilst extending its reach across public sector, the EU, and wider markets where possible in regard to marine and closely related environments.

Cefas’ work takes them from freshwater to the open ocean, and includes both wild and farmed fish. Their influence and leadership spans a wide spectrum of issues, including:
• climate change impacts and adaptation
• marine planning and environmental licensing
• sustainable fisheries management
• marine biodiversity and habitats
• fish and shellfish health and hygiene
• emergency response.

Head Office: Lowestoft, UK
Website: https://www.cefas.co.uk/

MacAlister Elliott and Partners (MEP)

MEP is one of the world’s leading consultancies supporting the development of a sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector across the world. This private consultancy helps countries, regions, communities and individual businesses develop responsible, well-managed fishing and aquaculture practices. MEP work with a large variety of clients: from national governments, international funding agencies (such as the World Bank, FAO, EU, ANB and AFDB), private sector clients and large industrial fishing companies, to leading multilateral and bilateral technical agencies, academic and scientific institutions, NGOs and small artisanal fisheries who are simply supporting their local community.

Head Office: UK wide
Website: https://www.macalister-elliott.com/

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