Policy Dialogue for Sustainable Fisheries Management Held in Dhaka

Dhaka, 2 January 2025:

To enhance open-water fisheries production and ensure the rights of fisherfolk, efforts should focus on addressing individuals involved in illegal net production, sand extraction, and pollution. Although these individuals may hold significant power, they represent a small minority compared to the vast number of fisherfolk dependent on these resources.

A Policy Dialogue for Sustainable Fisheries Management was held today at Hotel Bengal Bulu Barry in Dhaka. The workshop was organized under the TROSA-2: River Rights Resilience Project, jointly facilitated by Oxfam in Bangladesh, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS), and RDRS Bangladesh.

Participants from government agencies, civil society, fisherfolk communities, and development partners engaged in a collaborative session to draft actionable policy recommendations for sustainable fisheries management.

The Chief Guest of the event was:

· Director General, Department of Fisheries (DoF)

Special Guests included:

1. Md. Shahed Ali, Deputy Director (Planning), Department of Fisheries

2. Dr. Md. Abdul Awal, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Forest Department

3. Enamul Mazid Khan Siddique, Programme Manager, TROSA, Oxfam in Asia

4. Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman, Executive Director, CNRS

5. Santa Soheli Moyna, Program Coordinator – TROSA, presented keynote speeches at the Oxfam in Bangladesh workshop.

The key discussions during the workshop focused on developing effective strategies to prevent overfishing and ensure sustainable resource management, emphasizing the importance of long-term environmental and economic stability. Participants highlighted the need to protect the rights of fisherfolk, addressing their socio-economic challenges and improving their overall living conditions through inclusive policies and targeted interventions. Additionally, the discussions underscored the significance of addressing the impacts of climate change on the fisheries sector by implementing adaptive strategies to mitigate risks and build resilience among fisher communities.