Growing risks from climate change

Shrimp farming, fish cultivation, and rice production in Bangladesh’s coastal areas are increasingly threatened by climate change-induced factors such as rising sea levels, extreme flooding, cyclones, soil erosion, and salinization.

Dr. Aksya Kumar Sarkar, a shrimp production and processing expert with 25 years of experience, highlighted the vulnerability of shrimp feeding, breeding, and nursery grounds in the region. Producers and exporters are becoming concerned about declining shrimp production, which is affecting exports due to climate-induced temperature fluctuations.

In the country’s southwest, shrimp farming remains largely dependent on wild post-larvae since hatchery production is still limited and market is flooded with low-quality smuggled nauplii. Hence, farmers prefer wild post-larvae for their higher survival rates and better quality.

Impact on shrimp farming

According to shrimp expert and former fisheries officer Dr. Aksya Kumar Sarkar explained that prawns are highly sensitive to salinity levels, requiring brackish water in their early life stages. Shrimp post-larvae depend on estuaries for shelter and food, making them vulnerable to environmental changes.

The key shrimp-farming districts of Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira are facing severe impacts from floods, heavy rainfall, droughts, cyclones, and tidal surges. Many poor coastal residents who collect wild shrimp post-larvae near the Sundarbans are reporting declining catches due to increasing water temperature and salinity fluctuations caused by climate change.

Extreme weather events and rising sea levels could further alter the aquatic ecosystem, leading to a scarcity of wild post-larvae. Shrimp-farming communities are now dealing with a dual challenge: reduced post-larvae stocks and increased risks of coastal flooding and storm surges.

Economic and social consequences

According to Dr. Praful Kumar Sarkar, small-scale shrimp farmers and associated workers are often socially, economically, and politically marginalized. Limited access to essential services such as healthcare and education further exacerbates their struggles.

The declining availability of post-larvae has significantly impacted coastal villages reliant on shrimp farming. Climate change has led to the destruction of shrimp feeding, breeding, and nursery grounds in the Sundarbans, further intensifying the crisis.

As a major contributor to Bangladesh’s economy, shrimp farming is an essential sector, with most shrimp being exported to the EU nations, UK and USA. Any decline in shrimp production due to climate change could result in a substantial loss of foreign currency earnings. Additionally, lower production levels could impact hatchery operations, shrimp feed industries, and shrimp processing businesses.

Urgency for research and adaptation

Climate change presents a major challenge to the long-term sustainability of the shrimp sector. More research is needed to develop adaptive farming strategies, improve existing technology, and implement community-based climate resilience measures.

Increased salinity in inland groundwater has been observed in recent years, causing soil degradation and reducing soil fertility. This, in turn, affects rice and freshwater fish production and limits biodiversity.

Dr. Mostafa Sarwar, a climate expert and professor at Khulna University of Science and Technology, stressed the need for improved adaptation measures. Integrated coastal management, reforestation, and climate resilience programs could help mitigate economic losses and protect the shrimp industry from further damage.

Rising water temperatures and shrimp farming challenges

There is a noticeable difference in heat tolerance between mature shrimp and their post-larvae. Farmers typically release post-larvae into shrimp enclosures in January-February when water temperatures remain around 25°C. However, as temperatures rise to 27°C in March, many shrimp fail to survive, leading to increased mortality rates. Warmer waters are also contributing to the spread of viral infections, further threatening shrimp production.

Salinity issues and water scarcity

According to Golam Kibria Ripon, General Secretary of the Shrimp Fry Trading Association, salinity in Khulna’s rivers has become a significant challenge for shrimp farmers. Normally, river water in the region turns saline in January, but in recent years, this transition has been delayed until February. Additionally, salinity levels, which previously ranged between 16-18 ppt in May-June, have now dropped to 8-10 ppt, negatively affecting shrimp growth.

A shrimp farmer from Daulatpur, Khulna, reported that water scarcity is a growing concern for shrimp production. Additionally, frequent virus outbreaks are further reducing yields, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to sustain their livelihoods.

As climate change continues to threaten shrimp farming in Bangladesh, urgent measures are needed to adapt to these challenges. Research, policy interventions, and sustainable farming practices must be prioritized to protect both the environment and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

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Asia is currently the world’s largest aquaculture producer, with Bangladesh ranking fifth, just behind of China, Indonesia, India, and Vietnam.

Fisheries play a crucial role in Bangladesh’s economic landscape, providing sustenance as well as economic prosperity. In addition to providing non-vegetarian food for the country, it also generates substantial income.

Fish exports totaling 70,000 tons were made in the fiscal year 2022–2023, bringing in a noteworthy Tk 4,790.3 crore. The infusion of foreign revenue generated by fish exports significantly contributes to the nation’s overall growth.

By 2041, Bangladesh aims to produce 8.5 million MT of fish, demonstrating its commitment to the growth and sustainability of its fisheries.

The study showed that, climate change could cost Asia’s aquaculture industry US$140 million over ten years, especially in Bangladesh.

A total of 54,000 MT of aquaculture production were lost from 2011 to 2020 as a result of floods, worth US$93 million. Approximately US$248 million was lost in fish products due to cyclones, the second most destructive factor.

Due to Bangladesh’s disaster-prone nature, previous natural calamities have already demonstrated the severity of financial losses. The devastating floods following Cyclone Amphan in 2020 washed away fish and shrimp worth Tk 900 crore in the central, north, and southern districts. A dam in Bagherhat was destroyed by Cyclone Yaas in 2021, resulting in flooding of hundreds of fish grounds and houses. During the rapid flood of 2022, 1,655 hectares of fish, crab, and shrimp in Satkhira were flooded, resulting in a loss of Tk 8.46 crore. In 2023, Bangladesh was ravaged by Cyclone Midhili, triggering flash floods in coastal districts.

However, fish farmers can minimize losses from such events with reliable climate-related information. By providing science-based information and forecasts, climate service data empowers decision-makers to manage risk and to discover opportunities associated with climate variability and climate change.

Thus, climate information can help fish farmers make climate-sensitive decisions and manage production processes in order to reduce climate-related risks.

Dr. Rumana Hossainn, WorldFish scientist and lead author on the research said that, “We have found that aquaculture provides livelihoods for thousands of people. Our financial losses highlight the need to invest in Climate Information Services, which could have a game-changing impact on our aquaculture industry.” 

Climate services for aquaculture have been slow to be adopted in countries in the Global South, according to the study.

In Bangladesh, a lack of awareness about economic benefits, inadequate education, and the use of such services for crops are the main reasons for this.

As the need for climate information seems quite urgent, experts suggest that the Fisheries Department could disseminate climate information from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. By doing so, the sector will be able to provide advice and manage the threats caused by climate change.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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Despite facing numbers of physical issues such as stomach pain, shortness of breath, fever, sneezing, coughs, and various skin ailments, these poverty-stricken women persevere in their work, knowing that it’s a crucial source of sustenance for their families. The irony lies in the fact that their labor-intensive efforts are rewarded with meager compensation. In exchange of their time consuming hard labor they get a nominal amount per kilogram of shrimp peeling, often as low as USD $0.09 or the peeled shrimp heads (which can be sold USD $0.11-$0.12 per KG at retail price in local community) .

Climate change has exacerbated the challenges faced by these coastal communities, affecting agriculture, biodiversity, the environment, and public health. The repercussions are particularly harsh on women, putting their reproductive health and overall well-being at serious risk. The global theme for Women’s Day 2023 by the United Nation, ‘Digital Technology and Innovation, Ending Gender Discrimination,’ underscores the need for gender equality and innovation in sustainable development. However, ground realities reveal that gender equality remains elusive on the coast, with women’s health rights hanging in the balance.

In Patharghata upazila, climate change has intensified poverty, driven by landlessness, increasing water salinity and pointing out the imbalance of women rights. Global warming and environmental degradation have far-reaching impacts, with dwindling freshwater sources and rising sea levels. Women bear the brunt, having to walk long distances and queue for hours at a few available tube wells.

Engaged in various activities such as fish/shrimp selection, peeling, drying, and fishing, women in the largest fish landing center are grappling with discrimination and inadequate wages. Their toil contributes significantly to the fishing industry, yet their compensation doesn’t reflect the strenuous nature of their work.

Several women shared their experiences, highlighting the daily challenges they face. Rehena Begum, Sahida Begum, and Rexna Begum, involved in fish selection, described their relentless work, earning meager amounts per kilogram of fish or, at times, shrimp heads. Mariam Begum, a mother of three, narrated her struggles as a single mother, emphasizing the difficulty of working in harsh winter conditions. Aleya Begum and Pushp Bala revealed the toll on their health, with damaged skin and the relentless task of picking fish daily.

Amid the adversities of the climate change, women rights are being overlooked here. Though it should be rather emphasized the need for new government initiatives to address the challenges faced by coastal communities, especially women and address health risks, ensuring fair wages for women workers. The government should take the spearhead initiatives for the livelihoods of coastal women, addressing issues of discrimination and wage inequality.

The plight of coastal women persists, accentuated by the impacts of climate change, making it imperative for comprehensive and equitable interventions to uplift these communities.

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Impact on marine environment:

On our oceans and marine life, climate change is having a significant effect. Oceans have a significant impact on climate dynamics since they are the primary conduit for 83% of the global carbon cycle. Since the 1970s, they have absorbed 93% of the extra heat from greenhouse gas emissions.

 Between 500,000 and 10 million marine species reside in the waters, which significantly adds to the richness of our world. The distribution of fish stocks and their diet is altering as a result of its consequences. Marine capture fisheries, which already struggle with a number of issues like overfishing, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, sea level rise, habitat degradation, and poor management, are not well-equipped to deal with new issues brought on by climate change.

Sea level rise and the salt of the soil and water have both good and harmful effects in coastal areas. The cultivation of shrimp and other brackish water fish and shellfish may increase as sea levels rise and soil-water salinity, which will boost the production of high-value fish items. But, it may decrease the production of freshwater species in these region. The Sundarban, the biggest mangrove forest in the world, is also impacted by climate change, which leads to the extinction of many marine fish species and the loss of their spawning grounds. Climate change may have an impact on marine fish species, pH changes, and temperature increases, as well as an increase in the frequency of intense tropical cyclones and surges in the Bay of Bengal.

Impact on Fisheries Sector:

Fishing communities are vulnerable, and storms and other extreme weather can jeopardize their livelihoods. Processes like changing river flows have a major impact on freshwater ecosystems and have clear effects on fishermen. Impacts on security, migration, transportation, and markets will also have an adverse impact on the social and economic backdrop of fishing. Fisheries are already changing quickly as a result of overfishing and globalization. They will experience a wide range of diverse effects from climate change, some of which may be unforeseen and shocking. The least fortunate will find it hardest to adjust to these effects.

Impact on Aquaculture Sector:

Fish hatcheries of Bangladesh are affected both directly and indirectly by climate change, notably at different stages of hatchery production and in terms of the financial loss brought on by the emergence of disease and other environmental-related impairments. Geographically, the majority of Bangladesh’s aquaculture farms are managed within a constrained range of temperature (22.8-23.1 °C, or 73-73.5 °F) and rainfall (1750-2000 mm). Thus, even the smallest changes in these factors have an impact on fish output.

The broodstock, raised in both natural and artificial environments, is adversely impacted by temperature changes, unpredictable rainfall, river siltation, flash flooding, and deteriorating water quality. Climate change related temperature variations impair the maturation and reproductive abilities of broodstock, have an impact on embryonic development, and result in stunted larval and juvenile growth. Post-larval disease epidemics are brought on by changes in temperature, pH, and salinity in shrimp and prawn hatcheries. Storms and torrential rains can sometimes sweep away farm-raised broodfish and fish seed, resulting in significant socioeconomic losses.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

The post Impacts of climate change on fish production in Bangladesh appeared first on Seafood Network BD.

On the other hand, FAO forecasts indicate that the aquaculture industry has skyrocketed in recent years. The global aquaculture industry produced more than 116 million tons of seafood in 2015. Moreover, in 2020, the sector’s production reached a record-high volume of nearly 236 million tons, which is over 60 percent higher than the 1990s average.

Despite this, experts fear that the rapid growth might come to a halt very soon as a result of rapid fluctuations in climate conditions.

Earlier in 2021, research conducted by UK researchers stated that the aquaculture sector was becoming increasingly threatened by the effects of human-driven climate change.

Additionally, there is some evidence that fish farming may pose a threat in the future climatic condition, despite the widely held belief that it will mitigate climate change.

Researchers also found that U.S. and Asian producers are most susceptible to climate change. While 85 percent of the world’s aquaculture production and 45 percent of its wild marine catch comes from Asian nations, including China, India, Japan, and Vietnam.

According to several researchers, the shifting climate is characterized by increasing temperature. The elevated temperature results in warmer water which may facilitate the spread of disease, Furthermore, the increase in CO₂ in our oceans may also contribute to the extinction of marine life.

There are two species of aquatic animals that are most commonly farmed worldwide: salmon and shrimp. Aquaculture produces over half of the world’s shrimp, and salmon is almost exclusively raised on farms.

The increase in water temperatures, however, makes farmed shrimp and salmon even more vulnerable to disease. Temperature, water quality, and stress are especially important factors in the survival of shrimp. The rise in water temperatures has also been discovered to be a significant factor in mass salmon die-offs on fish farms, where salmon cannot escape the harsh conditions.

Considering Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change, research has disclosed that Bangladesh is already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change. Further research has revealed that Bangladesh’s seafood industry faces “extreme vulnerability” as a result of climate change.

Extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods and droughts, and rising sea levels are already taking a heavy toll on the farmers.

The majority of cyclones that have struck southwest Bangladesh in recent years have affected over 80% of shrimp farms. In addition, cyclones reduced the abundance of wild post larvae for a short period of time. Moreover, flooding along the coast occurs frequently these days and results in a loss of a complete or partial shrimp harvest.

The recent climatic condition is also dominated by erratic rainfall and extreme temperature. In the event of extreme rainfall, shrimp farms can be damaged physically, and farmers may lose their crops as shrimp crawl over dikes during large rainfalls. On the other hand, prolonged and severe droughts result in short shrimp culture periods and the shrimps become stressed and crowded.   Furthermore, a fluctuation in salinity and temperature is associated with shrimp disease. During summer months, shrimp mortality increased because of excessive temperature, as they stopped feeding with increased water temperature.

Researchers are still unsure of what initiatives will truly solve the problems. In the eyes of many, plant-based and cultivated seafood represents an environmentally friendly alternative to finfish and shrimp. The impacts of climate change may be less severe for them as well.

But whether Bangladesh can develop a plant-based seafood system, such as (i.e., seaweed, mushroom, etc.) remains a question.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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The coastal area of Bangladesh is particularly inhibited by fishing communities, as the natural climate change over time, these factors will play a significant role in the livelihood hardship and vulnerabilities of coastal fisherfolk communities.

To avert such catastrophe, Bangladeshi architects, builders, and non-governmental organizations are developing climate-resilient housing options that are both inexpensive and sustainable, as well as meeting the requirements of local populations.

Furthermore, as global warming amplifies the frequency and severity of natural catastrophes, more people living in poor housing are likely to be relocated or made homeless. As a result, architects and humanitarian specialists are advocating for more investment in climate-resilient housing.

According to Shuchita Sharmin, a professor of development studies at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh has a problem since diverse geographic regions are susceptible to various climate hazards. As a result, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for housing adaptation.

For example, floods and erosion of rivers are a threat to homes in the north and center of the nation, while tropical storms and increased salinity in the water are a threat to houses in the south.

Therefore, it would be useless to raise individual houses atop wooden or metal foundations in a flood zone because floodwaters would generate whirlpools around the bases and tear them apart, according to Kashef Chowdhury, an expert in this matter.

Chowdhury said he had held discussions with people to identify solutions that would benefit the entire community and had built elevated regions surrounding a man-made body of water, which protects elevated houses from floods while allowing safe access to rainfall.

In addition, native construction methods have long allowed inhabitants of some Bangladeshi regions, such as the Munshiganj area in the country’s center, to adjust to shifting weather patterns and water levels.

For instance, native wooden houses constructed in Munshiganj can endure up to 80 years because they are constructed on high platforms that maintain them above floods. When riverbank erosion becomes a problem, the houses can be disassembled and built elsewhere safer inland.

Khandaker Shabbir Ahmed, a professor of architecture at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), stated that local populations have significant indigenous expertise to deal with calamities and to come up with lasting solutions.

However, a number of scholars and architects agree that Bangladesh has to do more to include community input and local expertise in its disaster-proof housing policy.

In addition to Climate-Resilient housing, it is also crucial to focus on the livelihood and overall community structure of the fishers. The natural disasters such as cyclones, storm surges, floods, and erosion not only affect the infrastructure but also the livelihood too.

Cyclones have an influence on livelihoods by destroying fishing activities and assets, endangering fisherfolk life at sea, and causing damage to land-based resources, activities, and commodities.

Land erosion has also displaced families and devastated land employed in fish drying, agriculture, salt manufacture, and community facilities.

Extreme temperatures and unpredictable rains have been observed to have a significant influence on the drying process of fish. Raw or semi-dried fish attracts blowflies and becomes ruined by their larvae during rain, high temperatures, and humidity.

Since fishing communities frequently reside on low-lying coastlines and barrier islands that are exposed to several climatic stressors and shocks, they are also susceptible to relocation and migration brought on by climate change. Many fishing families have been uprooted from their ancestral houses as a result of the ongoing erosion.  And many of the households moved as a result of these environmental shocks and strains.

Even though the government, donor organizations, and NGOs constructed roads and a school to increase these impoverished fishers’ access to markets, education, and other public services, more needs to be done to protect their rights.

Climate change of Bangladesh could significantly enhance the vulnerability of fishery-based livelihoods in the upcoming decades. Without adaptation, coordination, and support, there will be more deaths at sea and in the coastal zone, as well as further damage to the fishing community and their respective household possessions.

Therefore, it is critical to incorporate local and scientific expertise into government policy. And it is hoped that climate-resilient homes will surely benefit the communities.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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The International Centre for Ocean Development (ICOD) and the Ocean Institute of Canada (OIC) of Canada initially put forward the idea in 1992 during the Earth Summit – UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. World Ocean Day has been globally coordinated since 2002 by The Ocean Project. In 2008, “World Oceans Day” was formally acknowledged by the UN. The international day promotes public awareness of the need to safeguard the oceans and their significance in accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Oceans cover more than two-thirds of the planet. It is the wellspring of life for all living things on the planet, including humans. At least 50% of the oxygen on the earth is produced by the ocean. Most of the biodiversity on planet is found there. For more than a billion people around the world, it serves as their primary source of protein. The oceans control our climate. A large portion of the global economy is also supported by them, including industries like international shipping, fisheries, and tourism. Not to mention, our economy depends heavily on the water, with 40 million people expected to work in industries related to the ocean by 2030.

Despite all of its advantages, the ocean today requires assistance. The world’s oceans are under peril from plastic pollution, overfishing, and climate change. The amount of plastic trash bags that are dumped into the ocean each year is sufficient to cover all of the world’s coastlines five times over. According to National Geographic magazine, sea levels as deep as 2,300 feet, where the majority of ocean life lives, have been affected by the global rise of ocean temperatures caused by human-induced climate change. We are depleting the ocean faster than it can be restored, with 50% of coral reefs lost and 90% of major fish species gone.

However, there is still time and hope for things to change. By using less single-use plastic and properly disposing of our plastic debris, we can assist our ocean in reducing pollution. We should conserve water by limiting runoff and wastewater into the ocean, along with pollution, waste, oil, and energy usage. We should also fishing ethically and operate boats safely.

Everybody is reminded on World Oceans Day of the significant contribution oceans provide to daily life and the necessity for ocean conservation. The Day aims to raise public awareness of the effects of human activity on the ocean, create a global movement of ocean citizens, and mobilize and bring people together around a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.

Around the world, the day is observed with a variety of environmental activities and events, such as beach clean-ups, educational programs, art competitions, and open lectures. Every year, a new subject for World Ocean Day is chosen to represent the problems and difficulties the seas are currently facing. Today is the “World Ocean Day 2023”, we in Bangladesh have joined the cause to save our coastlines and Bay of Bengal from the pollution and keep the life safe under water.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

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Therefore, a team of PML scientists is now attempting to determine the potential role of offshore seaweed cultivation in future carbon capture and storage. The project is part of a unique €1.5 million initiative financed by Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund.

North Sea Farm 1 is a first-of-its-kind offshore seaweed farm constructed in collaboration with North Sea Farmers (NSF), a worldwide non-profit seaweed farming membership organization. North Sea Farm 1 is situated among offshore wind turbines. This Farm could serve as a model for how similar farms could be employed for future large-scale carbon collection.

Carbon sequestration as a co-benefit of Seaweed (macroalgae) aquaculture has recently attracted a great deal of interest in academic, government, and business settings around the world. This has been driven by the increasing global interest in climate change mitigation.

For “blue carbon” ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes, carbon is stored in mud or silt in the local area; as the plants develop and die, their decaying matter is absorbed into the soil below.

From 2000 to 2018, seaweed aquaculture expanded by 6.2% each year, and there are a number of new and rising markets for seaweed products. Given the immensity of the open ocean, if an efficient method of offshore seaweed farming could be devised and scaled out, it might theoretically have a significant impact on carbon sequestration and fight climate change worldwide.

Dr. Ana Queirós, a senior marine and climate change ecologist at PML who is directing the research, stated in a press release, “I am very enthusiastic about this project and the knowledge gap it aims to fill. The carbon dioxide removal capacity of the seaweed sector remains untested, and the goal is to determine how Seaweed may be employed for long-term carbon sequestration. There is much interest in the expansion of the sector, but we need evidence to assess the true blue carbon value of these habitats.”

The director of EU sustainability, Zak Watts, stated, “Seaweed could be a crucial tool for absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, although it is currently cultivated on a relatively small scale in Europe. We are thrilled to finance this initiative in order to gain a deeper knowledge of its potential to combat climate change.”

Quantifying the Benefits

It has been estimated that around 11% of the entire ocean area, or 48 million km², is suitable for seaweed aquaculture. Consequently, a potential maximum annual sequestration from seaweed farming would be 72 billion tons, which exceeds global annual emissions.

Analyzing the world’s coastal habitats, some scientists determined that around 48 million square kilometers of coastline would be ideal for the production of Seaweed on a global scale. If we cultivated even a tiny portion of this area (273 square kilometers, or 0.001%), the growing Seaweed would absorb enough carbon to balance the emissions of the whole aquaculture industry.

Moreover, it is estimated that seaweed stores around 175 million tons of carbon per year, which is equivalent to 10 percent of the global emissions from all automobiles. This suggested to many scientists that Seaweed may join blue carbon storage in mangroves and wetlands as a crucial tool in the fight against climate change.

Uncertainty and Risks

There is no unmixed good in science, and major overlooked issues related to seaweed farming has identified too. Such as Ecological viability; Technological viability; Economic viability; Co-benefits and risks; and Governance and societal factors.

Moreover, seaweed farming may add up extra carbon to the atmosphere. Seaweed provides additional food for filter-feeding organisms, such as sea squirts and shellfish that live amid Seaweed.

As a result of consuming this additional food source, these organisms exhale additional carbon dioxide. Individually, the amount is quite small. However, on an ecosystem scale, their abundance and capacity to filter vast quantities of water make this amount significantly large. This may add up to extra CO₂ in the air.

How may Bangladesh act?

Although approximately 80% of the world’s Seaweed is produced in Asia, Bangladesh only produces 600 tons annually. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, Bangladesh has immense potential for seaweed production since its beaches, estuaries, and mangroves make it a suitable environment for the plant. The country has approximately 700 kilometers of coastline and 25,000 square kilometers of the coastal territory.

However, Bangladesh has roughly 8500 km2 of exploitable coastal land (5 m depth) and is home to 335 different varieties of wild seaweed populations. Some of these are cultivated on a limited scale due to environmental, technological, and socioeconomic constraints.

Approximately 32 species of Seaweed are most prevalent along the coast of Bangladesh, of which 14 are commercially viable, but only four are cultivated but on a modest scale.

In Bangladesh, around 300 households are engaged in seaweed farming at Nuniarchara, Inany Beach, and Reju Khal in Cox’s Bazar, generating 390 tons with potential applications in the food, cosmetic, feed, and medicines industries.

Bangladesh is, however, mostly concerned with the usage of raw Seaweed in the food, cosmetic, and feed industries. Products from Seaweed include desserts, noodles, salad, drinks and smoothies, sunscreen, and other cosmetics.

To fight climate change, Bangladesh needs large-scale afforestation of Seaweed along its coastal areas. If policymakers take Seaweed seriously, future initiatives to offset carbon may include a totally different type of forest planting in Bangladesh.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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However, due to climate change, people were driven to abandon their ancestral lands and relocate elsewhere. This situation emerged owing to a lack of agricultural or alternative work opportunities.
Mukul Gazi, a resident of Satkhira‘s Taltala village, said that following Cyclone Amphan, the banks of the Kapotaksha and Kholpetua rivers collapsed, allowing saline water to inundate the area. It took around eleven months for them to restore the dam. The long-term presence of salty water diminished the fertility of the lands, and crops are not grown here like before.

Also, there are numerous powerful landlords who cultivate shrimp by introducing saline water to cultivated land. This has resulted in an ecological crisis in the region.

Shariful Islam, a farmer from the Shyamnagar upazila, stated that there are no farming opportunities here. Hence, people whose families were engaged in agricultural activities are now unemployed. Several individuals are leaving the area and going elsewhere to find jobs.

According to Ismail Hossain, district coordinator of the NGO Shushilan in Barguna, a massive number of climate refugees are being forced to relocate to the capital as rising sea levels make their home districts inhabitable.

Ashiqur Rahman, a resident of the Sora village, stated that following Cyclone Iyla, Sidor, Mahasen, Fani, Bulbul, Ampan`, the life of the residents of Satkhira’s coastal regions had been interrupted. Several once-domestic families in Gabura Union have lost their land and property, causing them to become financially unstable. Many have left the area because they could not survive repeated disasters while the rest are trying to relocate.

The Saltwater encroachment has also created health problems for the inhabitants. In the Gabura union, 32,000 inhabitants rely solely on two designated ponds for drinking water. But both have been contaminated by saltwater since Cyclone Amphan struck in May 2020.

Irani Khatun, a 26-year-old mother of three, expressed concern about the effects of drinking saline water on herself and her children.
“My son has just developed rashes and blemishes on his skin, and I’m afraid it’s due to the water,” she added.

Mohan Kumar Mondal, executive director of the private development organization, urged the local government and administration to take a more proactive role in resolving the situation.
He recommended constructing sustainable embankments, spreading salt-tolerant rice and vegetable types, and establishing alternative employment in the region may alleviate the situation. Otherwise, he feared many more individuals would be compelled to leave this area permanently.

Therefore, salinity intrusion management is the most pressing concern from Bangladesh’s perspective. With the goal of saline waterproofing through structural management such as coastal embankment projects, dams, sluices, and coastal region zoning, the current situation can be upgraded.

Moreover, with non-structural management such as afforestation, sustainable land use, and land use conflict management, Bangladesh’s sustainable livelihood and environment can be envisioned.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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