65-Day Marine Fisheries Ban Period: Bangladesh’s perspective on Blue Economy

Author: Najmus Sayadat, Md. Towfiqul Arif, A.N.M. Nazim Uddin, S. M. Mustafizur Rahman, Md. Mukhlesur Rahman, Shoukot Kabir Chowdhury, K M Shahriar Nazrul, Sarker Mohammed Rafiqul Alam, Md Asadujjaman, Muhammad Tanvir Hossain Chowdhury
DOI: doi.org/10.70279/bmj-v7-i1-1049
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The concept of a Blue Economy came in front of the nation when Bangladesh won the maritime boundary dispute with Myanmar in 2012 and with India in 2014. Marine fishing is considered one of the important avenues in utilizing BE for Bangladesh. Since 2015, Bangladesh has introduced a 65-day marine fisheries ban period (from May 20 to July 23 of each year) in the Bay of Bengal to ensure the conservation of fish stocks and productive breeding grounds. While the fishing ban is expected to achieve this goal along with meeting the Goal of SDG 14, no study is conducted on how far the ban is implemented in achieving its goal. This study investigates relevant stakeholders‟ perspectives in understanding the implementation of the 65-day fishing ban and its subsequent results. The study is conducted with a qualitative research approach, in which data is collected from interviews and secondary sources. Data analysis is done in the form of discourse analysis and content analysis. Based on policy design goals, perceived policy outcome, and stakeholders‟ satisfaction, the policy performance is found „nearly successful‟. It is also found that though there is a high level of political commitment, moderate to the higher extent of law enforcement and satisfactory level of community engagement, moderate extent of policy incentive to the fishing community and moderate extent of organizational capacity may have contributed to the perceived implementation deficit. Therefore, a more pragmatic approach might be useful in creating a balance between economic benefit, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.