In a bold step towards safeguarding marine biodiversity and securing the sustainability of its blue economy, Bangladesh’s Department of Marine Fisheries (DoMF) has rolled out a pioneering initiative aimed at curbing plastic pollution in the Bay of Bengal.
The campaign, which began in January 2024, targets the long-overlooked issue of plastic and polythene waste disposal by commercial fishing trawlers. Working initially with 250 mechanized trawlers, the department has begun installing onboard waste bins to collect and return non-biodegradable waste to shore. Each trawler, carrying 30 to 50 crew members on voyages lasting up to a month, previously discarded plastic packaging and supplies directly into the ocean.
Md Faruk Hossain Sagar, Assistant Director (Ocean) at the DoMF Chattogram office, said the initiative stemmed from an awareness campaign that launched in December 2024, targeting trawler owners, captains, and fishing associations.
“Fishermen often carried food and essentials wrapped in plastic, which was casually thrown into the sea,” he explained. “Now, we’ve introduced a system to collect that waste on board and bring it back to shore for proper disposal.”
The collected waste is transferred to Chattogram City Corporation for designated dumping, potentially preventing 20 to 25 metric tons of plastic from polluting the Bay annually.
Director of the Marine Fisheries Department in Chattogram, Md Abdus Sattar, stressed the urgent need for action. “Plastic and torn fishing nets cause ghost fishing and destroy marine habitats. This effort must become a collective social movement,” he said.
The Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Association has extended its support to the initiative, encouraging fleet-wide adoption of sustainable waste management.
The DoMF has its sights set on broader coverage. With over 30,000 mechanized vessels operating in the Bay of Bengal, the department plans to gradually bring them all under the initiative, promoting sustainable fishing and reducing ocean pollution.
Experts have underscored the health risks linked to marine pollution. Dr Zahidul Islam of the Khulna Diabetic Association warned that fish contaminated with microplastics could severely impact human health. “What enters the ocean enters our bodies through the food chain,” he noted.
This initiative signals a significant shift in marine waste management for Bangladesh and could serve as a model for other coastal nations grappling with the devastating impact of ocean plastic on both ecosystem and public health.
