Enhanced Coastal Fisheries in Bangladesh II

Abstract

Enhanced Coastal Fisheries in Bangladesh II (ECOFISH II) is a 5-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Jointly implemented by WorldFish and the Department of Fisheries (DOF), ECOFISH II is built upon the previous work of the original ECOFISH (2014–2019) project regarding hilsa shad production in the Meghna River ecosystem. ECOFISH II is reducing the impacts on the natural resources and fishing communities along the Teknaf–Cox’s Bazar peninsula from the influx of over a million Rohingya refugees. It is also reducing the impact of the Naf River fishing ban on host communities in Teknaf. ECOFISH II is scaling up lessons learned from the previous project while expanding interventions for improving the livelihoods of fishing communities and enhancing biodiversity conservation in the artisanal fisheries of the Bay of Bengal. The ongoing conservation activities in the lower Meghna sanctuaries and the improved management of the Nijhum Dwip Marine Protected Area (MPA) remain integral parts of the project.