Fisheries in the Context of Attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh: COVID-19 Impacts and Future Prospects

Fisheries and the aquaculture sector can play a significant role in the achievement of several of the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda. However, the current COVID-19 situation can negatively impact the fisheries sector, impeding the pace of the achievement of development goals. Therefore, this paper highlighted the performance and challenges of the fisheries sector in Bangladesh, emphasizing the impact of COVID-19 and the significance of this sector for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through primary fieldwork and secondary data. The total fish production in the country has increased more than six times over the last three decades (7.54 to 43.84 lakh MT) with improved culture techniques and extension services. Inland closed water contributions have increased to 16%, while inland open water has declined to 10%, and marine fisheries have dropped to 6% over the past 18 financial years (2000–2001 to 2018–2019). COVID-19, a significant health crisis, has also affected various issues associated with aquatic resources and communities. Transportation obstacles and complexity in the food supply, difficulty in starting production, labour crisis, sudden illness, insufficient consumer demand, commodity price hikes, creditor’s pressure, and reduced income were identified as COVID-19 drivers affecting the fisheries sector. The combined effect of these drivers poses a significant threat to a number of the SDGs, such as income (SDG1), nutrition (SDG2), and food security (SDG3 and SDG12), which require immediate and comprehensive action. Several recommendations were discussed, the implementation of which are important to the achievement of the SDGs and the improved management of the aquatic sector (SDG14—life below, and SDG16—life above water).

Wetland Ecosystem Services in The Context of Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh

World’s largest mangrove, the Sundarbans is reputed for serving a range of goods and services for human societies, though this ecosystem is changing due to couple impacts of natural and anthropogenic drivers. Nevertheless, there are very few research focused on the interrelationships between anthropogenic factors, environmental change, ecosystem services and subsequent impacts on the well-being of dependent population. This study assesses the ecosystem services (ES) of the Sundarbans wetlands and has also tracked the drivers, pressure, state, impact, responses regarding ES changes by incorporating both quantitative and qualitative tools. A total of 22 sub-categories of ES has been identified, among which eight are provisioning, seven are regulatory, four are cultural and three are supporting services, according to the CICES framework. The time series analysis of environmental parameters such as temperature, rainfall, humidity etc. shows considerable fluctuations over years that could affect productivity and subsequent delivery of ecosystem services. In addition to environmental drivers different anthropogenic factors such as illegal fishing and over-exploitation of mangrove resources put adverse impact on the quality and quantity of ecosystem services. The combined effect of natural and anthropogenic drivers (SDG12) poses a significant threat to couple of the sustainable development goals such as income (SDG1), nutrition (SDG2), food security (SDG3 and SDG12), requiring immediate and comprehensive actions (SDG17). Several recommendations have been elicited, which are important to implement to achieve SDGs and improve management of the aquatic sector (SDG14 – life below and SDG16 – life above water). The study also spotlights the nexus of research and policy attention to tackle these challenges to sustain the flow of ecosystem services for enhanced human well-being in the region.