Strengthening incentives for coastal stewardship in Bangladesh

Abstract

A policy brief that summarizes a report that assessed the relevant legal, institutional and policy frameworks in Bangladesh using an analytical framework. Coastal fisheries in Bangladesh provide food security, employment and cultural identity for over 60 million people. However, these resources are under increasing threat from overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution and the impacts of climate change (Islam et al. 2020). Current social protection programs, such as rice compensation and alternative livelihoods, are inadequate and poorly targeted. As a result, many fishers fall into debt or fish illegally during seasonal bans. This brief, based on an analysis of national institutional, legal and policy frameworks and stakeholder interviews, identifies three areas for reform.