USAID | Enhanced Coastal Fisheries in Bangladesh II (ECOFISH II). Final report: December 2019 to November 2024

Abstract

ECOFISH II (2019-2024), a USAID-funded project led by WorldFish in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries (DOF), aimed to enhance the resilience of Bangladesh’s coastal fisheries and communities. Building on the ECOFISHBD, the project supported 72,000 women, youth, and fishers from 15,010 coastal artisanal fishing households, with a focus on those impacted by the Rohingya crisis. ECOFISH II improved ecosystem health by engaging 140 local youth as blue guards (BGs) to combat ghost gears and plastics. It also advanced scientific research on fish larvae, salinity impacts on fish diversity, seasonal water quality, biodiversity, and the role of phytoplankton in hilsa nutrition. The project assessed various aspects of marine conservation, including MPA suitability, tourism impacts on ghost crabs, small-scale fisheries in Nijhum Dwip, riverine catfish hotspots, and non-conventional fishery products. Catch data from 10 fish landing centers and 40 citizen scientists revealed a 330% increase in small hilsa landings and stable marine fish catch, while the price of larger hilsa doubled. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) data highlighted fluctuations in species such as Bombay duck, hilsa, and thryssa anchovy. ECOFISH II expanded co-management from hilsa to broader marine fisheries by forming 369 Fisheries Conservation Groups, involving 15,010 small-scale fishers, and piloting a fish landing center-based co-management model at 10 landing centers along the Bay of Bengal coast. It also trained 1,508 boat skippers and built national capacity through EAFM training for 48 professionals and 322 committee members, laying the groundwork for sustainable fisheries governance. The project contributed to the development of more than eight key policies, including a revised Hilsa Fisheries Management Action Plan (HFMAP), MPA delineation, the Nijhum Dwip management plan, blue economy guidelines, and low-extractive mariculture strategies, all essential for advancing coastal and marine fisheries management in Bangladesh. Small-scale fishers are highly impacted by conservation measures, so balancing their needs requires just, equitable, and inclusive strategies. ECOFISH II addressed this by supporting the fishing households through diversified livelihoods, women’s empowerment, and improved access to technology and markets. It helped establish Community Savings Groups (CSGs) and Women Income and Nutrition Groups (WING), empowering 6,575 women and raising BDT 10.6 million in savings. The project also promoted safe dried fish production and climate-resilient horticulture, leading to improved nutrition and dietary diversity. The project also changed nutrition behavior through targeted training and BLS sessions. As a result, 77% of households adopted year-round vegetable cultivation, increasing household income by 78.5% and enhancing dietary diversity for 90% of households. The project also developed nutritious fish and seaweed powders, which generated strong consumer interest. Additionally, it tested various fish-based technologies, such as low-trophic mariculture, dried fish, crab fattening, and seaweed farming, offering new opportunities for technology adoption and market linkages.