Making a difference in Bangladesh

Abstract

For nearly 30 years, WorldFish Center scientists have been working in Bangladesh developing innovative ways for its poorest people to improve their livelihoods through sustainable, equitable and participatory fisheries management practices. Scientists have been suggesting ways to the villagers to grow fish in local ditches and backyard ponds as well as encouraging communities towards sustainable management of fish and aquatic resources in open waterbodies, beefs, boars, rivers and floodplains. These innovative approaches have shown tremendous potential for reducing poverty and hunger in Bangladesh. The country, with a population of 140 million, is crisscrossed with hundreds of rivers and their tributaries. Fish and fisheries play an important role in the nutrition, employment and economy of the country. The sector contributes about 5 per cent of GDP and 6 per cent of export earnings. It is estimated that at least 1.3 million people are directly employed in the fisheries sector while another 12 million earn their livelihoods from fisheries related activities.