Huge potential lies unutilised in Bay: Researchers

The enormous potential of the ocean economy, popularly known as the blue economy, has been lying unutilised along the country’s maritime boundary for years, said researchers at a discussion on Thursday.

Planning Minister MA Mannan, who was the chief guest at the event, said Bangladesh could collect more resources from the Bay of Bengal by conducting studies.

“We should do pragmatic research on the blue economy to gain from it,” he said.

Non-governmental organisation Save Our Sea organised the discussion titled “Blue Economy: Prospects and Challenges” at the National Press Club in the capital, said a press release.

Mohamamd Muslem Uddin, chairman of the oceanography department at the University of Chittagong, in his keynote paper said the country’s future would depend on the use of marine resources. But Bangladesh had failed to collect those resources in a planned and sustainable manner, he said.

He described the steps already taken for the blue economy as harmful to the marine environment.

The academic demanded the government make a pragmatic plan for sustainable promotion of marine resource collection.

Botany professor at the University of Dhaka Mohammad Zashim Uddin said Bangladesh could get tidal energy, minerals, and fish from its marine area.

He said all the authorities concerned should work together to get the maximum outcome from the Bay of Bengal.

Santosh Kumar Dev, chairman of the tourism and hospitality management department at the University of Dhaka, said Bangladesh could attract global tourists through better management of its sea beaches.

KM Azam Chowdhury, an associate professor of oceanography at the University of Dhaka, said Bangladesh should concentrate on studying the deep sea and collecting resources from it.

Save Our Sea Secretary General Muhammad Anowarul Hoque moderated the event. Its Director SM Atikur Rahman and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University Director Wahid Hasan Kutubuddin spoke there among others.