Bangladesh is being blessed with a plethora of marine resources, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, as the fishery and biodiversity of the Bay of Bengal is in the process of replenishment.
Though the suffering of human beings is endless due to coronavirus, the environment and nature of Bangladesh, like the rest of the world, is getting free from the cruel oppression, aggression and evils of humans for at least the last three months.
With the monsoon season approaching, thousands of rivers, canals, lakes and wetlands are abundant with fish all over the country. This summer, instead of heating up, the flow of clouds and rain has not stopped.
According to ocean experts, Hilsa, the king of fish, will target a record production of 7 to 8 lakh metric tons this year from the sea. Hilsa fish is also getting bigger in size.
However, it is taking the wealth potential of Bangladesh to the border of the Bay of Bengal, which is one lakh 18 thousand 813 square kilometers wide.
According to the sea experts, the cyclone 'Amphan' that took place on May 22 caused a big stir in the Bay of Bengal. As a result, fish activity has increased. The natural exercise increased the health, growth and production of fish. The way fertile silt comes with floods increases the yield of the land.
Moreover, fishing in the Bay of Bengal and the coast has been suspended for 65 days since May 20 on the instructions of the government. At this time the netting of immature baby fish including mother fish and fingerlings hilsa will also stop. This will increase fertility rate, resulting in a huge supply of marine fish including hilsa.
In this context, the Chairman of the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Oceanography of Chattogram University, Hossain Jamal told the media that people are under house custody. In the Bay of Bengal, shipping, pollution from oil and chemical industries, emissions, various types of pollution including tourist waste, noise pollution, damage to marine fauna and environmental damage have been greatly reduced.
As a result, the reproduction of marine biodiversity, including fish, is increasing and turning back to the open environment.
He said, “from the bottom of the sea to the surface, all kinds of big and small fish are spreading. Oysters, turtles, snakes, crabs, pearls and all kinds of marine animals have a supportive environment now. As a result, the productivity of all kinds of fish and animals is increasing. Hilsa will be big in size this year. In the oceans, animals live and roam interdependently.
Because of the lack of human intervention, they are roaming and living according to the blessings of the Almighty.”
The Secretary General of Save Our Sea, Anwarul Hoque told Bangladesh Post that due to the cessation of human encroachment on the marine environment and nature, fisheries and animals are living in a free environment during the coronavirus period.
He said, “environment-nature is increasing production independently. The country's economy is prospering. It is being used for the needs of human life and livelihood. As the negative impact on the environment decreases, it will be the generous contribution of nature.”
Anwarul further said, “these changes in the environment are visible today and should be instructive to us. We have to keep in mind that we have to find a way for sustainable development without harming the nature and environment.
Otherwise, with the loss of nature we are bringing our own multifaceted damage. The gifts of the environment are a blessing from the Almighty. We want to maintain a balance between development and environmental protection.”
Meanwhile, on a recent Facebook Live, Alifa Bintha Haque, one of the leading researchers of marine animals, especially Sharks and Rays of the Bay of Bengal, shared her journey towards sharks and rays research and conservation in Bangladesh.
She shared her experience on sharks and rays research in Bangladesh and abroad. Alifa talked about biodiversity of Bay of Bengal, contribution of marine fisheries, blue economy and its impact, contribution of ocean based industries like shipping, fishing, and tourism to the economy.
She also talked about major threats for ocean biodiversity degradation, role of coastal community to save biodiversity, sharks rays fisheries sector, common and rare species of sharks and rays, main reasons which threaten population of sharks and rays, what steps need to be taken immediately to save ocean biodiversity and also shared her future plan to save this giant beauties.
Better understanding of the oceans is essential for conserving fish stocks and discovering new products and medicines, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said as the World Ocean Day was celebrated globally on Monday.
Guterres said the COVID-19 pandemic is a sharp reminder of how they are all intimately connected – to each other and to nature.
