India has seen remarkable development in fish production, with output rising from 0.75 million MT in 1950–1951 to 16.25 million MT in 2021–2022. India’s entire fish production was dominated by marine fish production till 2000.

However, India’s inland fisheries have experienced a reversal as a result of the promotion and acceptance of scientific fish-raising and management techniques. Inland fisheries’ share of the nation’s overall fish output has nearly doubled over the previous four to five decades, rising from 36% in the mid-1980s to 70% in the most recent period.

Presently, India is the 3rd largest fish-producing and 2nd largest aquaculture nation in the world after China accounting for 8% of global production. 

Brackish/saline water aquaculture has also gained popularity in India. The brackish water shrimp farming industry has grown significantly during the last few decades. Brackish water aquaculture has enormous potential because the country possesses around 1.42 million hectares of brackish/saline land.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported fish and fish products worth USD 8.09 billion. Frozen shrimp accounted for the majority of exports, earning USD 5.48 billion.

India also has abundant and diverse cold water resources, including significant indigenous fish germplasm and clean water with a variety of temperature regimes. As a result, the Himalayan states have a unique advantage in the Cold Water Fishery sector.

Recognizing the importance of fisheries and aquaculture in ensuring food security, nutrition, and livelihood, the Indian government has recently made significant investments in the industry, both financially and institutionally. The Fisheries Department is implementing several new projects to increase inland fish farming with public engagement.

Inland fisheries have enormous possibilities and promise for increasing production through effective fisheries management, technology infusion, and capacity building. In India, more than 30 million fishermen and farmers at the primary level, as well as many more throughout the fisheries value chain, rely on fisheries and aquaculture for a living and employment majority of whom are dependent on the inland fishery sector. Thus this sector is critical for various socially, economically, and nutritionally disadvantaged groups of people.

However, the sector confronts various obstacles. A few of the major issues are overexploitation, incomplete databases and catch data, uneven gender involvement, poor infrastructure, and weak governance structures. Furthermore, the inland fisheries sector is severely lacking temperature-controlled supply chain. Additionally, the marketing of fish and its associated goods is mostly uncontrolled and unregulated. 

To address these difficulties, a comprehensive strategy for managing inland fisheries is necessary, incorporating all important components such as fisheries resources, fish, and fishers. It is critical that the Indian government, scientists, fishery managers, fishermen, and other resource users should work together to ensure the long-term management of inland fisheries resources.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

The post Indian fisheries sector sees a paradigm shift from marine to inland appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

The Marine Fisheries Association states that Bangladesh’s economic zone in the Bay of Bengal is around 119 thousand square kilometers or almost the same as the country’s land area ( which is roughly around 148,000 square kilometers). But beyond the study’s scope, the majority of the marine area remains undiscovered.

Currently, fish are caught in four deep water regions: South Patches, South of South Patches, Middle Ground, and Swatch of No Ground. The distance between the shoreline and these offshore locations is around 100 km. It takes around 18 hours to get to these locations from the coastal zone.

According to a study, Bangladesh’s fishing zone is confined to 40-60 meters of depth due to a lack of proper fishing gear and smaller fishing vessels.

In the fiscal year 2020–21, around 231 of the 262 industrial fishing trawlers were in operation, according to the Fisheries Department Annual Report 2020–21. In addition to this, traditional fishing in the Bay of Bengal was carried out by 67,669 artisanal and automated boats.

Mechanized boats transporting ice cubes frequently fish at a contour depth of 40 meters for seven to nine days.

The industrial trawlers however can go a little bit deeper than that, but not as deep to catch open ocean high-value fishes(pelagic tuna/Scombridae, mackerel, Indian salmon/Polynemidae, etc. Despite being available in deeper waters, these species are therefore, rarely seen in Bangladeshi fish catches.

So, why can’t Bangladesh engage in deep-sea fishing?

Deep-sea fishing necessitates a larger initial expenditure as well as periodic costs. Hence, deep-sea fishing is often more costly than coastal trawling. 

The increasing expense of fishing, along with scattered and overlapping resources, inhibits fishermen from participating in this activity. 

According to Nurul Qayyum Khan, president of the Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Association, despite the government’s permission for private companies to harvest tuna fish in two phases, no firms have applied as a result of a lack of understanding.

A large portion of the deep water remains undiscovered simply because of a lack of sophisticated ships, he claimed.

However, the Department of Fisheries aims to acquire two ships from China for BDT 240 million. It intends to catch tuna with a longline. This experimental endeavor will continue with a crew of 30.

The project was originally scheduled to run from July 2020 to December 2023, however, it was recently extended to June 2025, an additional 18 months.

According to the Department of Fisheries, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission regulates tuna fishing in the region. Bangladesh joined the commission on April 24, 2018, as one of its 30 member countries. India, the Maldives, Indonesia, Pakistan, and other nations bordering Bangladesh capture tuna on a regular basis in both domestic and international waters.

In order to capture tuna and other deep-sea pelagic species from the Bay of Bengal, it is necessary to venture into the deep waters in close proximity to Bangladesh’s exclusive economic zone.

In this situation, the government has to swiftly implement new financial initiatives to encourage private companies to take on the challenges of deep-sea fishing.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

The post Bangladesh struggles to tap deep sea fishing potential in the Bay of Bengal appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

Bangladesh has a huge maritime boundary. The marine territory is estimated to be 118,813 square kilometers. The country also has also extensive reserves of both living and non-living resources in its coastal and maritime areas, which provide considerable prospects for development.

A wide variety of non-living resources can be found in Bangladesh’s coastal areas, including oil, gas, sea salt, etc. Several offshore and nearshore regions off Bangladesh’s coast hold oil, gas, and commercially important heavy minerals.

There have been 17 deposits found in beach sands between Patenga and Teknaf that contain valuable minerals, including Zircon, Rutile, Ilmenite, Leucoxene, Kyanite, Garnet, Magnetite, and Monazite.

These resources benefit a variety of sectors, including marine transit, tourism, industry, ports, shipyards, shipbreaking, agriculture, aquaculture, islands, coastal protection, carbon storage, and waste disposal.

Among living coastal resources, Mangroves are the second most significant natural system in Bangladesh. The mangrove ecosystem is home to an abundant range of animals, including 53 species of pelagic fish, 124 species of demersal fish, 24 shrimp species, 58 wildlife species, and 270 birds.

Saint Martin’s Island contains the country’s unique coral habitat. There are 66 different coral species referred to here.

Bangladesh’s enormous water areas support roughly 260 freshwater and 475 marine fish species, many of which are threatened.

Bangladesh’s fish production has expanded sixfold in the previous 30 years. In 1983-84, the country produced just 7.54 lakh metric tons of fish, however, in 2020-21, the total surpassed 46.21 lakh metric tons. In reality, the government of Bangladesh’s Vision 2021 targeted for 45.52 lakh metric tons of fish output in 2020-21, which has already been exceeded. However, aquaculture accounts for more than 57% of total production. 

More than 0.8 million people rely directly or indirectly on the marine fishing sector for a living. There are now 225 industrial trawlers in operation, including 24 mid-water trawlers and around 38,000 mechanized and non-mechanized boats.

Hilsa (shad) is a significant fish in South and Southeast Asia, particularly in Bangladesh. Hilsa is the one species that contributes the most to the country’s fish production. Hilsa accounts for more than 12.09% of the country’s fish production.

In the fiscal year 2001-02, the total amount of Hilsa harvested in the country was just a little more than 2 (2.21) lakh metric tons, by the fiscal year 2020-21, it had risen to almost 6 (5.65) lakh metric tons.

Besides Hilsa, shrimp production in Bangladesh is continually expanding. In the fiscal year 2020-21, Bangladesh’s total shrimp output is two and a half (2.52) lakh metric tons, rising at a pace of roughly 4.43% each year.

Bangladesh’s coastal areas have distinctive attractions, such as Cox’s Bazar, the world’s longest sea beach, and the Sundarbans, the world’s biggest mangrove forest. However, the potential for coastal and marine tourism goes largely unexplored, as seen by Bangladesh’s recreational and tourism performance score, now at only 8%.

Limited data make it difficult to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all Bangladeshi marine resources. Yet it is quite clear that Bangladesh has vast marine resources which has immense potential for the country.

However, the growing pressures of population expansion and rising demand for work and food emphasize the importance of making sustainable and efficient use of these resources.

Therefore, adopting a comprehensive strategy that tackles all marine and maritime challenges is critical to Bangladesh’s sustainable resource management.

It is thus necessary to establish a strong set of statutory environmental laws to encourage the sustainable use of marine resources across all operating areas.

Priorities for ensuring the security of sustainable blue economy growth include increased ocean knowledge, spatial planning, and marine surveillance.

These activities will ultimately strengthen the blue economy and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

The post The Blue Economy: A catalyst for economic growth and development in coastal Bangladesh appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

However, having a long coastline and a huge population that depends on the ocean for their livelihood makes the blue economy important for Bangladesh.

Further, Bangladesh has a great deal of reliance on the Bay of Bengal for its economic development. Due to her inherited and historical dependence on the sea, the blue economy concept has recently gained traction.

Developing the Blue Economy in Bangladesh has the potential to boost the economy to a much higher level. The MoFA identified 26 potential sectors for Bangladesh’s blue economy, including fisheries, maritime trade, shipping, energy, tourism, coastal protection, maritime safety, and surveillance.

In Bangladesh, the marine fishery plays an important role in the blue economy. In the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh has an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles that extends for 710 km. 

A total of 19.40 percent of the country’s fish production comes from marine fisheries. Providing 4% of the country’s GDP and employing millions of workers, the fisheries industry contributes significantly to the country’s economic growth.  The Bay of Bengal has an estimated 8.0 million tons of fish available but Bangladesh catches just 0.70 million tons of fish every year. As the country’s southern coastal region grows economically, the Bay of Bengal contributes significantly to its overall socio-economic development.

It is important to note that 15.0 percent of the protein consumed by people worldwide comes from sea resources. Since ocean resources are vital to many people’s livelihoods and food security, increased efforts should be put into protecting them.

According to Lokman Hossain Mia, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh can earn $5 billion from seafood exports in five years by utilizing the blue economy properly.

“We have a 1.7 lakh square kilometer maritime boundary through which we can export seafood to an area of 460 nautical miles. If we utilize this blue economy effectively, we can earn $5 billion in five years by exporting seafood,” he said.

Lokman Hossain Mia ‍ said, “In the absence of well-equipped modern ships, we are unable to take full advantage of our vast blue economy. Due to the high price and demand for salmon and tuna in the deep sea, we should take the initiative to collect underwater resources using modern technology. We must attract more investments into the blue economy.”

Nevertheless, climate change, pollution, and illegal fishing practices pose a threat to Bangladesh’s marine ecosystems and coastal communities. However, Blue Economy can address these issues while promoting economic expansion and wise use of ocean resources.

A number of steps have already been taken by Bangladesh to develop its Blue Economy in order to utilize its sea resources. As part of the Blue Economy consultations and workshops launched by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) in 2015, various initiatives have been undertaken in Bangladesh. Furthermore, Bangladesh’s Seventh-Five Year Plan (7FYP) has listed twelve actions for maintaining a prosperous and sustainable Blue Economy, such as fisheries, renewable energy, human resources, transshipment, tourism, and climate change. Additionally, a “Blue Economy Cell” under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of the GoB was established in 2017 to coordinate Blue Economy initiatives across its sectoral units.

A dialogue with stakeholders was initiated recently by the government to assimilate the untapped potential of the marine environment and conduct effective implementation and variation so as to improve nutrition, food security, create jobs, improve health, reduce poverty, and create industrial profiles while maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity, and progressing regional peace and security. 

The Bay of Bengal is now clearly defined for Bangladesh following a lengthy dispute with India and Myanmar over its maritime border. As long as the Blue Economy is emphasized, economic development will be enabled to flourish with environmental sustainability, and Bangladesh can take advantage of its potential as a result.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

The post Untapped potential: blue economy brimming with promise in Bangladesh appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

Lokman Hossain Mia, the Executive Chairman of BIDA, envisions that Bangladesh can earn a staggering $5 billion from seafood exports within the next five years by effectively tapping into the potential of the blue economy. Mia emphasized the vast maritime boundary of 1,70,000 square kilometers, extending up to 460 nautical miles, which presents ample opportunities for seafood collection. He stressed the need to maximize the utilization of the blue economy to achieve this ambitious export target. Currently, Bangladesh earns $500 million from exporting 30,000 tonnes of seafood.

BIDA chairman also highlighted the existing limitations caused by the lack of well-equipped modern ships, preventing the country from fully capitalizing on the vast blue economy. Specifically, the inability to catch high-demand and high-priced fish species such as salmon and tuna from the deep sea has been a hindrance. Mia urged the initiation of efforts to leverage modern technologies for underwater resource collection and attract greater investments into the blue economy sector.

Under the terms of the MoU, BIDA and Solidaridad Network Asia will collaborate to showcase Bangladesh’s seafood offerings to both domestic and international buyers. Their joint efforts will also focus on attracting local and foreign investments to bolster the sector. Solidaridad Network Asia, in partnership with BIDA, aims to increase investments in seafood production by fostering collaborations among various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and national and international entities. Ongoing discussions are taking place with European investors to explore avenues for enhanced investment in the sector.

To further support the seafood industry, a three-day seafood show titled “Bangladesh International Aquaculture and Seafood Show-2023” is set to be organized. The event, scheduled to take place from October 19th to 21st, will be jointly hosted by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Department of Fisheries, the Ministry of Commerce, BIDA, the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association, and Solidaridad. The show aims to provide a platform for industry stakeholders to connect, exchange knowledge, and showcase the potential of Bangladesh’s seafood sector. The event will be held at the Bangabandhu International Convention Center (BICC) in the capital city.

The post Bangladesh seafood export can earn $5B within next 5 years: BIDA Chairman appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

This is however the latest finding by a new Blue Food Assessment research. The study has compiled and analyzed various national data to identify the four crucial roles that blue foods can play in enhancing the food systems of a country.

These four major roles are nutrient deficiencies in B12 and omega-3s; high rates of cardiovascular disease linked to excessive red meat consumption, specifically processed meat; high environmental impacts; and climate adaptation and resilience to protect the value of blue food systems to diets, economies, livelihoods, and cultures.

“Despite the widespread consumption and reliance on seafood globally, the untapped potential of these aquatic resources to positively impact both humans and the environment is often overlooked,” says Ben Halpern, a marine ecologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, director of the National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis, and a member of the team.

Blue foods have been identified as a potential healthy alternative to traditional animal-sourced foods. Blue foods have the potential to play a significant role in reducing the incidence of non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers. By replacing the consumption of less healthy red and processed meats or preventing the transition to diets that contain large quantities of such foods, blue foods can promote healthier eating habits.

Blue foods have been found to be a great source of essential nutrients. A staggering 91% of countries experiencing vitamin B12 deficiency are also grappling with omega-3 deficiency. Moreover, deficiency in Vitamin B12 may indicate a more widespread issue of under nutrition. Similarly, a lack of omega-3 may suggest a low intake of blue foods.

Blue foods have been found to offer a sustainable source of nutrition with a significantly lower carbon footprint. Reducing carbon footprints is a relevant objective in the majority of the 89 countries where omega-3 enhancing policies are applicable, according to recent findings. A recent study has revealed that the consumption of red meat is contributing to high dietary carbon footprints in 124 countries.

Beatrice Crona, lead author, professor at the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University, and co-chair of the Blue Food Assessment, said: The significance of blue foods in our diets, societies, and economies varies greatly across different countries and local settings.’

According to the study, policymakers in countries with high environmental food footprints and high levels of cardiovascular disease should prioritize the production and accessibility of blue foods. These foods can serve as a healthier substitute for the consumption of red meats, which have a greater impact on the environment. The study’s findings suggest that improving access to blue foods could have a positive impact on both human health and the environment.

Policymakers in countries with high environmental food footprints and nutrient deficiencies may opt to promote a wider range of blue food production and encourage the consumption of affordable blue foods.

Farmed bivalves and small pelagic fish, such as sardines and herrings, have the potential to provide significant benefits to less affluent populations, while also having a low environmental impact.

“Policy-makers can investigate the blue food policies most pertinent to their national context by further adjusting the various parameters in the online tool. They can then use the paper as inspiration for blue food policies that can address current environmental and nutritional challenges,” said Jim Leape, co-director of the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, a key partner in the Blue Food Assessment.

In Bangladesh however, blue food consumption is quite high. This is due to the 710-kilometer-long coastline and the Bay of Bengal that encompasses the country.  Fish and other crustaceans are an integral component of the Bangladeshi nutrition and culture, accounting for an estimated 60 percent of the nation’s animal protein consumption.

Blue food is most commonly ingested in Bangladesh as curries, stews, and fried dishes. Typically, it is served as a main course or as a side dish with rice. Fish curry (a spicy fish dish), fish fry, shrimp curry, crab curry (not across the country though), and fish bhuna are all well-liked dishes in Bangladesh. Traditional dishes such as pitha (a form of pastry prepared from maize flour) and bhorta (mashed vegetables) also contain seafood.

Varieties of fish, shrimp, crab, and squid are among the most popular seafood options. The annual consumption of fish in Bangladesh is estimated to be approximately 3 million metric tons. In Bangladesh, prominent fish species include Hilsa, Rupchanda, Pabda, Catfish, and Tilapia.

In Bangladesh, the demand for blue food is high and growing swiftly due to population growth, urbanization, and shifting dietary preferences. Several studies reported that Bangladesh is suffering from omega-3 deficiencies. According to the World Bank, over 36% of Bangladeshi children under the age of five are affected by chronic malnutrition, and nearly 11% experience from severe malnutrition.

However, the nation confronts a number of obstacles in fulfilling the demand for seafood, such as exploitation, pollution, and climate change. To assure a constant supply of seafood for its expanding population, the government of Bangladesh has taken essential steps to promote sustainable fishing practices and aquaculture.

Blue foods have been found to be crucial for nutrition, livelihoods, and revenue in as many as 103 countries across the globe including Bangladesh. Hence, implementing win-win policies could be the key to reducing malnutrition in certain settings. These policies would involve climate adaptations to ensure access to low-impact blue foods, while also creating quality jobs and removing barriers to wealth-generating benefits.

Therefore, producing blue foods for export can offer economic benefits for governments, individual businessmen, and the fishers community of the country.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

The post The essential functions of blue food appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

Criteria for being potential species:

The potential candidate species for mariculture were chosen after taking into account a number of specific factors.

1. Local environmental conditions
2. Local market drivers
3. Available knowledge and capacity
4. The Ecosystem Approach to Aquaculture (EAA).

The species chosen, in particular, were native to the environment in which they were to be cultured, with brood stock sourced from local populations and produced in local hatcheries. We also took into account the species’ life history characteristics, such as trophic level, feeding biology, growth rates, and suitability for cultivation in net cages.

Potential fish and shellfish for mariculture

Production of fish and shellfish species can contribute significantly to livelihoods in some coastal areas, though suitable sites are likely to be scarce and husbandry more demanding. However, this may represent a good opportunity for private companies and other non-governmental organizations to produce high-quality export products. Export-oriented production of these species holds great promise for assisting Bangladesh in developing a blue economy.

The potential candidate species for mariculture are including below,

1. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha)
2. Seabass (Lates calcarifer)
3. Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus)
4. Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
5. Mud crab (Scylla serrata)
6. Green mussel (Perna viridis)
7. Clam (Meretrix meretrix)
8. Oyster (Crassostrea madrasensis) and
9. Sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus)

Marine algae:
Because of their high biomass productivity and ability to remove airborne and waterborne pollutants, algae represent a sustainable energy source. Bangladesh has 244 seaweed species, including 19 commercially important species, and approximately 5000 metric tonnes of seaweed biomass is available.

Macroalgae:
Seaweed is used in phycocolloid or hydrocolloid, cosmetic, biofuel, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, waste water treatment, and bioplastic industries in addition to human consumption. St. Martin’s Island’s water quality parameters and rocky substratum make it an ideal location for naturally occurring seaweeds.

1. Gracilaria sp.
2. Hypnea sp.
3. Enteromorpha sp. and
4. Kappaphycus sp.

Microalgae:
Microalgae (single-celled algae or phytoplankton) play an important nutritional role as feed for marine animals in the open sea and aquaculture. In Bangladesh, microalgae oil is used to make biofuels.

1. Skeletonema costatum
2. Thalassiosira sp.,
3. Chaetoceros gracilis,
4. Tetraselmis sp. and
5. Nanochloropsis oculata

Bangladesh currently contributes very little to total production. Culture of these species, on the other hand, is a low-investment activity with high returns.

There is growing interest in the production of these marine and coastal species due to the importance of social, cultural, food, nutrition, and conservation perspectives. Domestication of these for artificial propagation and mariculture in cages, intensive and semi-intensive, represents a potential option for contributing to the country’s blue economy development.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

The post Potential species for mariculture in Bangladesh’s coastal water bodies appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

This project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It has started in 2019 and is set to end in 2024. The project site is located on the Southeast coast (Khuruskhul, Cox’s Bazaar; Amadoia khuta, Moheshkhali; Shadrang, Teknaf) of Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh.

It aimed to improve the livelihood of the locals through a potential seaweed species named Gracilaria tenuistipitata.  Gracilaria is an important seaweed species which is tolerant to a wide range of environments and is an economically important raw material for agar production. Seaweeds of the family Gracilariaceae (Rhodophyceae) are well known for the production of agar-agar, protein, fiber, fatty acids, vitamins, macro and trace elements as well as important bio-active compounds.

Cultivation Period
Since the 1970s, this species has been cultivated in many countries using long-line ropes in a submerged free-floating system. Although Gracilaria is abundant year-round, it is less common during the warm months of March to May and most abundant after the monsoon season.

October to March is considered the ideal growing season for Gracilaria in Bangladesh. This year, however, cultivation was delayed as a result of cyclone Sitrang since the water became turbid. Consequently, the farmers lost four cycles or harvests from the season.

Methods of seaweed production vary widely depending on aspects such as cultivation facilities (in the open sea or on land), productivity and availability of species, dimensional properties, irradiance, temperature conditions, nutrient enrichment, water flow and wave action.

The success of seaweed farming is dependent not only on the environmental compatibility of the area but also to a significant degree on a variety of other factors that affect the production performance of seaweed. Gracilaria seaweed has a high environmental parameter tolerance. It can handle a broad range of salinity, from 10 to 40 ppt (parts per trillion), but grows best in the area of 25 to 33 ppt. Gracilaria may also tolerate temperature ranges between 10 and 35°C, however, its ideal range is between 24 and 30°C. Completely murky water is not suitable for its cultivation; instead, clearer water is necessary.

Culture Method
Seed collecting is a key phase in the Gracilaria cultivation process. Seed collection is dependent on the availability of natural sources during the season. Although setting up a nursery to lessen reliance on natural sources is suggested, seedstock is necessary for successful commercial agriculture. The seeding interval is a vital aspect of seaweed cultivation.

A traditional method for cultivating seaweed, known as seed-rope, involves growing macroalgae seedlings on the rope in regulated environmental conditions. This approach is highly efficient in seaweed farming because when it grows on ropes has lower production costs due to the shorter time required in the hatchery and because cultivation may be managed.

The rope-type cultivation method has a significant impact on the yield performance of Gracilaria seaweed. The seed of Gracilaria is stuck in the strands of the ropes which are attached in parallel position in the floating bamboo structure. A structure of 12ft x 30ft bed is made with Bamboo for the culture. Empty plastic drums are used as floats. This type of farming is also widely practiced in Indonesia, Brazil and many other seaweed growing nations.

The seaweed is attached to 1 m long, 6 mm in diameter nylon strands. The Gracilaria ropes are positioned between 0.2 and 0.3 meters below the water’s surface and each end is fastened to bamboo poles. Net bags are suspended in the water at a depth of 0.3 meters from the surface of the water to the bottom of the net bag and their corners are fastened to bamboo poles. The net bags are intended to prevent entering of herbivorous fish.

Gracilaria is harvested once it reaches 30 cm in length. Every month it is harvested 2 times which means every 15 days, the harvest takes place. Last year the production of this project was about 20 tons. This year the production can be calculated by the end of March.

Commercial Value
Raw Gracilaria seaweed price is sold at 40-60 Tk per kg depending on the season. However, the dried price is sold depending on the quality at 400-500 Tk. A total of 7 kilograms of raw seaweed can make 1KG dry. Gracilaria is farmed mainly for the Agar collection. The agar extraction ratio is a maximum of 25% from it. This means 4 KG of Gracilaria may provide 1 KG of Agar. However, Agar has high demand and the price is ranging 3000-8000 Tk depending on the quality. Agar is one of the most extensively used seaweed gums in the world. It is a polysaccharide produced from seaweed. Agar is widely employed in the manufacturing of jams and jellies, cosmetics, the pharmaceutical industry and microbiological research. Agar is utilized in the cosmetic sector as a stabilizer for emulsions and as a component of skin creams, ointments, lotions, etc.

Creating Entrepreneurs and Market
The project has created employment scope for the local community. Total 154 people were engaged in Gracilaria cultivation in 2019, the first year of the initiative. Then, in 2020, 2021, and 2022, 150, 200, and 100 individuals, respectively, joined. Under the guidance of project managers and scientists, they cultivate, harvest and market seaweeds.

Now, a new strategy for the project has evolved. The strategy calls for the addition of 15 entrepreneurs, 5 farmers and 5 marketers who will focus on the creation, manufacture and distribution of seaweed-based products.

In addition, four persons work on this initiative as “points of contact,” i.e., when the farmers or no one else is around, they oversee the project. Essentially, these men are chosen from local farmers and compensated with 1,500 TK each month to oversee the project.

Prospects around the Globe
In 2015, the global output of farmed Gracilaria was 3.9 million tons, ranking third after Eucheuma and Japanese kelp. In 2015, China ranked first in Gracilaria production with a harvest of 2.7 million tons. There are 100 known species of Gracilaria in the world.

Chile, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Taiwan Province of China are the primary regional producers and customers of food-grade agar at present. In Thailand and Vietnam, fresh G. tenuistipitata is usually used as a vegetable. In both fresh and dried forms, it is used in various delicious dishes. Besides, seaweed has good demand among locals in neighboring Myanmar as well.

Prospect in Bangladesh
About 32 species of seaweed are widespread along the coast of Bangladesh, of which 14 are commercially viable but only four are cultivated, albeit on a modest scale. It has been found that, among these seaweeds, the species Gracilaria (Rhodophyta) is the most preferable choice for intensive culture due to its potential to achieve high yields and generate economically valuable products.

Along its 710 km coastline facing the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh is impacted by a rising population and periodic tidal bore. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Bangladesh has immense potential for Gracilaria production since its beaches, estuaries and mangroves make it a suitable habitat for the plant. The country has approximately 700 kilometers of coastline and 25,000 square kilometers of the coastal area.

Additionally, the coastal regions of Bangladesh are regularly inundated with saline water. Once crop fields are flooded with salt water, it takes around seven years to produce land crops. Therefore, Gracilaria might be a feasible choice for coastal people to cultivate on these inundated grounds. Gracilaria may also be utilized to produce a variety of delicious dishes.

In fact, Rakhaine and Chakma tribes consume the G. tenuistipitata that grows on the sand flat of Nuniachara adjacent to Moshekhali Channel in Cox’s Bazar. The nutritional assessment of this type of seaweed cultivated on a wide scale showed promising results.

It is also expected that boosting seaweed farming will aid in reducing pressure on marine fishing, as considerable manpower may be diverted from fishing to (seaweed) cultivation. It will help reducing use of fossil fuel and emission of carbon in atmosphere. Moreover, seaweed absorbs and stores significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Furthermore, Bangladesh imports the majority of its Agar powder from India, China, and Japan, making it the world’s top importer of Agar powder. Therefore, the cultivation of Gracilaria may assist Bangladesh in being self-sufficient in Agar production and save foreign currency.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

The post Gracilaria seaweed farming, a path to sustainable coasts and better livelihoods appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

A total of 26 profitable blue economy development and economic sectors have been identified in Bangladesh within its current 1, 18, 813 sq. km maritime boundaries for the full exploitation of ocean-based resources. The marine fisheries and aquaculture sector has the greatest potential for boosting overall economic growth and improving the standard of living for Bangladesh’s many thousands of coastal rural residents. Aquaculture and marine fisheries hold great promise under the blue economy model.

Over the past 40 years, Bangladesh has made few attempts to advance mariculture, with the exception of Black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) farming, which uses time-honored and modernized comprehensive traditions in the coastal areas. There are vast opportunities for thriving mariculture along the coast, in the vicinity of the beach, and offshore after the ultimate resolution of maritime border conflicts. With coastal and marine species including seaweed, macro algae, shellfish (such as mussels, oysters, etc.), sea urchin, sea cucumber, etc., Bangladesh may quickly begin marine aquaculture.

The mariculture of marine species such as sea bass (Lates calcarifer), grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), pomfret (Pampus argenteus), hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), saline-tolerant tilapia, and others. The mariculture of marine shellfish such as shrimp (Penaeus monodon, P. indicus, P. Merguiensis), mud Seaweeds (both macro and micro algae), mussels including the green mussel (Perna viridis), the clam (Meretrix meretrix), and the oyster (Crassostrea madrasensis), corals, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and other marine non-traditional species are also crucial for marine aquaculture in Bangladesh.

The country would be able to achieve the desired solutions for the requirements of mass protein in the diet of the people for the success of mariculture. It will be helpful to obtain sustainable benefits in economic sectors. Mariculture are implemented under the concept of blue economy development and the seventh 5 Year Plan of the Government of Bangladesh. If these opportunities are successful, GDP of Bangladesh will enhance to great extant.

Because of the growth of mariculture, it lowers the market value of wild fish, shrimp, mollusks and consequently, the investment in fishing fleets. It can ease pressure on these species, increase stock by reducing overfishing and less bio-fuel consumption. It helps to maintain a balance in coastal and marine ecosystems.

Properly managed coastal aquaculture and mariculture offer considerable potential for green growth and job possibilities for coastal communities while releasing less CO2. Many coastal communities rely on mariculture as a major source of income and employment, as well as a major producer of aquatic food in coastal and deeper oceans. Through prospects for export, mariculture can assist both food security and economic growth. The economy and environment of Bangladesh can be enhanced by creating a strong and long-lasting mariculture sector there.

Mariculture has enormous potential for the growth of Bangladesh’s blue economy. The government should ascertain the present condition of the prospects and difficulties for expanding the sector. The socioeconomic situation of the country can be improved by developing its mariculture system through the wise use of marine resources.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

The post Mariculture, a potential industry to add earnings in Bangladesh’s economy appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

Seaweed is abundant in coastal areas. Wild seaweed production decreased due to excessive harvesting and unpredictable weather in the past years.  This is why globally cultivated seaweed production is on the rise. And it has grown to a significant proportion that the number is around 50% by the last decade.
The Rising popularity of seaweed consumption indicates this industry has a huge market in the global arena which is currently estimated to be 10 to 12 million tones (frozen weight) annually.

Considering the rising popularity of seaweed, the cultivation of this sea plant is expected to continue to grow, indicating it could become important in stabilising food security. The global commercial seaweed market has been forecasted by the experts to increase to $24.92 billion in 2028 from its 2021 value of $15.01 billion.

Seaweed in Bangladesh:

Experimental cultivation of two species of seaweed first began at Saint Martin’s Island in 2010. Since 2016, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has been cultivating seaweed in the coastal areas of Cox’s Bazar.

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