Page 56 - Navy Journal 219

TAKING THE STAKE HOLDERS ONBOARD FOR EFFECTIVE
MARINE PROTECTED AREA IN BANGLADESH

Captain M Joynal Abedin, (ND), afwc, psc, BN

Introduction
Ocean covers about 70% of the earth’s surface. That is why, Arthur C. Clarke
correctly said, “How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly
Ocean” (Allen & Jaspars, 2009). This ocean accommodates huge marine ecosystems
which include oceans, coasts, seas, low tide elevation, salt marshes, mangroves,
estuaries, reefs, deep sea, sea floor etc (OECD, 2017). These marine ecosystems and
biodiversity maintain a crucial balance for the welfare of mankind, by providing
economic, social and environmental benefits to the growing population of entire
world. Due to the ever-growing demand for exploitation of marine resources
specially fishery, the marine resources are under constant threat. In many parts of the
world including Bangladesh, the fish resources are declining due to overfishing,
destructive trawling, and manmade and natural hazards etc. Understanding this
reality, world community has been urging the coastal nations for the protection of the
important marine resources through restriction on exploitation of resources in
demarcated marine areas in territorial waters, EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) and
high seas for the cause of human benefit. This demarcated marine protection area
(MPA), like Eco-park/safari parks on land, ensures maintenance of marine
ecosystems and biodiversity, which, in turn; maintain required fish stock for
sustainable exploitation in future. It will also generate tourism opportunity and other
blue economy prospect for the nation particularly for the effected population. On the
other hand, restriction on fishing will have adverse effect on the fishing community
concern, which would in turns, may lead the MPA unsuccessful. Hence, for MPA to
be successful, authority would be required to take intervention measures like
providing loan, alternative livelihood and rationing etc (IUCN, 2015). Otherwise, the
affected community may violate MPA regulations or may be forced to take-up other
detrimental livelihoods like becoming illegal immigrants or drug trafficker.

Considering above view points, this study will put forward argument in favour
of requirement of marine protection areas for sustainable living resources for
Bangladesh. Then the paper will discuss MPA and its types which will also give idea
on the level of protection applicable in MPAs. After a touch upon

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