Natural resource manipulation has been the foremost feature for economic development and trade for most of world history. At present, it is generally accepted that economic advancement around the world is leading to the unalterable exhaustion of natural resources, environmental degradation and resulting threat to future generations, which are vital reasons and challenges for reconsidering economic patterns. At present Environmental resources are denoted as economic assets and called “natural capital”.

1. Page | 1
CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION STAGE

2. Page | 2
1.1 Introduction:
Natural resource manipulation has been the foremost feature for economic development
and trade for most of world history. At present, it is generally accepted that economic
advancement around the world is leading to the unalterable exhaustion of natural resources,
environmental degradation and resulting threat to future generations, which are vital
reasons and challenges for reconsidering economic patterns. At present Environmental
resources are denoted as economic assets and called “natural capital”.
Human relationship with the oceans, and how people practice and exploit their resources,
is growing in significant ways. While the oceans are progressively becoming a source of
food, liveliness, and products such as medicines and enzymes, there is also now a well
understanding of the non-market goods and services that the oceans provide. Those are
crucial for life on Earth. People also realized that the oceans have limit. They are suffering
from growing and often collective human influences. Oceans that are not hale and hearty
and resilient are not able to support economic growth.
The fact that oceans and seas matter for sustainable development cannot be denied at all.
Oceans and seas encounter over two-thirds of Earth’s surface, contribute to poverty
eradication by generating sustainable livings and decent work, offer food and minerals,
generate oxygen, absorb greenhouse gases and diminish the effects of climate change,
govern weather designs and temperatures, and serve as highways for seaborne worldwide
trade.

3. Page | 3
1.2 Rationale of the Study:
In this era of globalization, no country can only depend on its land resources. So, sourcing of
substitute resources is mandatory particularly for the emerging country like Bangladesh. This
sourcing of resources from sea area available for Bangladesh is a great opportunity. It will assist
to reduce the solitary dependency on natural land resources for Bangladesh. In fact, Bangladesh is
blessed with the vast edge of the Bay of Bengal, the largest bay in the world. Hence, sectors like
transport (shipbuilding, shipping), energy (oil, gas, and renewable energy), food (fisheries,
aquaculture), marine ICT, and coastal tourism can be appropriate means of economic development
based on the bay area obtainable for Bangladesh. Furthermore, Bangladesh will have to maintain
this economic innovation for ensuring Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE). To do so, some policy
initiatives at strategic level should be taken by the government of Bangladesh in order to get
privileged with SBE.
1.3 Objective of the Study:
Primary objectives:
✓ Conferring the possibility of sustainable development related to Blue Economy, which
will be applicable in future.
Secondary objectives:
✓ To identify the existing situation of Blue Economy in Bangladesh.
✓ To identify a conceptual framework to implement Sustainable Blue Economy in
Bangladesh.
✓ To identify the challenges ahead of Bangladesh in successful implementation of Blue
Economy and to suggest some policy initiatives to address those challenges.

4. Page | 4
1.4 Scope of the Study:
Blue Economy is a booming sector in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has great opportunity to raise
GDP through the appropriate uses of Blue Ocean. This study will give a better direction to raise
GDP through the uses of Blue Ocean in Bangladesh.
1.5 Statement of the problem and justification:
✓ There is no integrated spatial planning for upland-coastal-ocean area to ensure
sustainability and no planning to attract the investors.
✓ Many Researchers have focus on modification of resources to minimize environmental
problems without proper guideline.
✓ Researchers focused on maritime management but there is no direction about this.
✓ Open access to environmental data is crucial but not available.
1.6 Limitation of the Study:
Every research might contain some limitations. I tried my best to collect information and data
through standard journals and organizations but I have limitation to prepare this research
paper. This study faces one of the major limitations that is limited number of reference paper,
journal and articles related to Blue Economy and its contribution in the economy of
Bangladesh.
Most specific Limitation that I faced:
Non-availability of data in a systematic way.
Non-availability of the reference book is another limitation.
Information sharing is the most critical problem.
In many cases up to date information is not published.
To get and to acquire information is very difficult.

5. Page | 5
CHAPTER-2
LITERATURE REVIEW

6. Page | 6
2.1 Literature Review:
The term ‘Blue Economy’ is not absolutely new; roots of this concept can be drawn back to the
90’s. The term ‘Green Economy' had become regularly used before the coining of Blue Economy,
and referred to economic growth that did not contribute to environmental degradation of land, air,
or sea (Brand, 2012). Pauli (2010) first to use the term Blue Economy, although not specifically in
relation to a global ocean-based sustainable development agenda.
The term gained further prominence after the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development (Rio+20). While this conference covered all aspects of sustainable development,
island states at this conference identified a need for a specific focus on ocean-based development,
as this was deemed most relevant to their upcoming development and actions (Sakhuja, 2015).
United Nations General Assembly, 2012 proposed that the resolution from this conference stated:
‘oceans, seas and coastal areas form an integrated and essential component of the Earth’s
ecosystem and are critical to sustaining it. ‘Further, this conference recognized that oceans
meaningfully affect several nations, and that international cooperation is vital for Blue Economy
goals. Presently, the focus on Blue or ocean Economy concepts is prioritized by numerous nations,
and has received focus for all oceans and bodies of water globally. Within the Indian Ocean, groups
such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) goal to smooth international collaboration and
transnational action to recover capabilities in the region (Sakhuja, 2015).
The African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa have also prioritized the Blue
or ocean Economy, and have formed strategies aimed at promoting cooperation between Eastern
African nations and their Blue or ocean economy activity in the Western Indian Ocean (United
Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 2016).

7. Page | 7
Since the 21st century, the idea of the “Blue Economy” has become progressively widespread. in
the arena of hypothetical research, the investigation literature about blue economy mostly
comprises to the following aspects. Kathijotes (2013) state the aim of Blue Economy models is to
modification resources from shortage to profusion, and to start undertaking issues that reason
environmental problems. Mulazzani et al. (2016) state that the management instrument based on
ecosystem service outline to solve the seaside development.
Maximum organization research of the blue economy is founded on a sustainable development
viewpoint. Keen et al. (2018) intended a theoretical outline for blue economy can be used to
measure sustainable maritime management. Sarker et al. (2018) also established a management
outline of blue growth highlighting that it requires combined efforts to encourage blue growth and
attain sustainable development goals (SDGs). Howard (2018) had detailed debate on the role of
participants in sustainable development. The meeting of the blue economy and maritime
ecosystem, ecosystem secretarial is faithfully linked to blue development (Hayha and Franzese,
2014).
A potential and topical sector for the promotion of the Blue Economy in our deep oceans is that of
deep seabed mining for marine minerals and trace metals (Lusty and Murton, 2018). The claim for
minerals is increasing owed to assets in land-based mines declining, in addition to the possibly
extensive environmental and social significances of mining on land. Some propose that land-based
withdrawal and recycling current minerals unaccompanied may not fulfill the future demand for
these resources.
The manipulation of resources such as polymetallic sulfides, polymetallic nodes, cobalt-rich
ferromanganese crusts (for nickel, copper, cobalt, zinc, manganese, gold, silver and other metals),
along with rare-earth elements, are of economic concentration particularly as these marine sources
are frequently high-grade ores and consequently very appreciated. Some of the core emphasis areas
for this industry are the polymetallic nodules on the abyssal basic in the clarion-clipperton zone
(CCZ) in the central Pacific Ocean (Levin et al., 2016; Cuyvers et al., 2018).

8. Page | 8
Combined management of numerous economic subdivisions is a central principle of blue growth
and informally best use of ocean-based natural resources, but the instruments of application
continue poorly unspoken (Klinger et al., 2018). Open access to environmental data is essential in
order to achieve industry transparency and sound environmental management. There is a crucial
necessity to classify and develop inclusive, ecosystem-based management practices for deep-ocean
environments conditional on mineral extraction (Durden et al., 2017).

9. Page | 9
CHAPTER-3
METHODOLGY

10. Page | 10
3.1 Methodology:
This learning applied descriptive statistics to focus the present scenario of the blue economy in
Bangladesh. Graphical examination is a common and beneficial method to detect the trend and
behavior of any variable. This study inspects the trends in some variables through graphical
examination. The report describes the concept of the blue economy as a discrete segment of a
country’s broader economy, based on a review of the scientific literature, foundational research
such as the 2016 report of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD.
The report also provides an overview of the blue economy concept, based on a literature review
conducted using Web of Science and Google Scholar search engines for the topic term “Blue
Economy,” as well as foundational research such as World Bank and UN DESA (2017), Voyer et
al. (2017), and Patil et al. (2016).
3.2 Source of Data:
3.2.1 Primary Data:
The Survey is conducted through data collection (Questionnaire Survey) and interview with
concerned agencies and persons in the Blue Economy-related fields. Data analysis has been done
primarily with the help of Microsoft Excel. Statistical calculations have been done with Excel and
SPSS software.
3.2.1 Secondary Data:
Documents and information are gathered from the website and also from agencies related to Blue
Economy sector. Interview is conducted with government organizations, universities and the private
sectors. The secondary data and other information used in this study have been collected from some
main sources- 1) The Bangladesh Bank and 2) World Bank.3) Department of Fisheries of Ministry
of Fisheries & Livestock 4) Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 5) Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 6)
Export Promotion Bureau.

11. Page | 11
3.3 Data Collection Methods:
a. Sampling method: Convenient sampling
b. Information collection instrument: Structured questionnaires for the respondents.
c. Sample size: 30 respondents.
3.4 Data Analysis methods:
Statistical techniques were used to analyze the collected information. Frequency distribution, one
sample T -test analysis.
3.5 Presentation of information:
Collected information and findings of the analysis are presented in text as well as in a graphical
form.

12. Page | 12
CHAPTER-4
BLUE ECONOMY
FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

13. Page | 13
4.1 Oceans as a Crucial Factor in Sustainable Development Goals:
There is a requirement to mainstream the “oceans” economy into upcoming Sustainable
Development Goals. This exertion should go outside the previous Millennium Development Goal
“7 B” connected to fish stocks and protected marine areas.
This is mainly evident in suggested sustainable development goal number- 14: Conserve and
sustainability uses the oceans, seas and marine properties for sustainable development, but also in
other proposed goals e.g., 12 (sustainable production and consumption outlines), 13 (crucial action
on climate change) and 15 (protection, restoration and promotion of sustainable practice of
ecosystems and biodiversity) and lightly over-lapping with few other points too.
Targets and indicators proposed under the goal 14 that are more applicable to the blue economy
include: -
1) Reduction of naval pollution, including from land-based activities;
2) Sustainable management and protection of sea and coastal ecosystems;
3) Mitigation of the impacts of ocean acidification;
4) Guideline of fish harvesting with the aim of controlling over fishing;
5) Restoration of ocean fish stocks to biologically safe levels;
6) Ensuring the full implementation of existing country and international regimes on oceans and
seas;
7) Elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices;
8) Removal of subsidies which responsible to overcapacity and over fishing;

14. Page | 14
Other elements that could be considered for integration in light of the blue economy concept could
include the following:
9) The development of admission and profit-sharing rules for marine bio-prospecting (also
related to maintenance and innovation);
10) Investment in Research and Development (R & D), infrastructural bulk and use of maritime
and other renewable energy bases (especially from offshore wind, tidal and waves, marine
geothermal and biomass);
11) Accessibility of amenities and level of investment in sustainable seaside and maritime
tourism and pertinent infrastructure (also linked to conservation, employment and
livelihoods).
4.2 Blue Economy for Sustainable Development:
The Blue Economy is imagined because the amalgamation of Marine Economy expansion
with the values of social presence, environmental sustainability and innovative, self-
motivated business models. Role of oceans and seas in sustainable development is undeniable.
We all know that two thirds of the earth’s surface are covered by water. The oceans are
extensively accepted because the incubator of all life forms. They’re a fundamental yet
delicate a part of the Earth’s biosphere and vital to sustaining life on the earth. Oceans serve
a variety of purposes, all life-threatening to the sustenance and safeguarding of human life.
Among other things, they deliver food and minerals, generate oxygen, absorb greenhouse
gases (GHG), alleviate climate change, influence weather patterns and temperatures and serve
as highways for human transport and sea-borne trade.
The connection between humans and therefore the oceans has been important to the
development of human development. Today, quite 3 billion people sleep in close proximity
to the coast. This number is sure to rise with population growth too.

15. Page | 15
The blue economy may be a relatively new concept that has its origins within the green
economy concept recognized at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development,
held in Rio de Janeiro in 2012 (FAS, 2012). It shares an equivalent desired outcome: the
development of human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing
environmental risks and ecological scarcities. At its fundamental the oceans economy denotes
to the de-coupling of socio-economic progress from environmental degradation.
The notion of an oceans economy also represents economic and business activities that
assimilate the conservation and sustainable practice and supervision of biodiversity, including
maritime ecosystems, and inherited resources. It also pursues to donate to mitigation and
adaptation efforts to deal with global climate change risks manifested within the rise of the
ocean level and therefore the acidification of seawater. An oceans economy method to
supports sustainable livings and food safety for sea-side countries and coastal populations.
Internationally, almost 350 million occupations are related to the oceans through fishing,
aquaculture, coastal and marine tourism and research activities. Moreover, in excess 1 billion
people depend upon fish as their primary source of protein.

16. Page | 16
CHAPTER-5
BLUE ECONOMY AND BANGLADESH

17. Page | 17
5.1 Blue Economy and Bangladesh:
Blue economy may be a much-used phrase these days internationally. Newly the term is
extensively spoken of in Bangladesh. The thought of “blue economy” has sparked interest
within the country after the resolutions of the maritime boundary dispute with neighboring
Myanmar and India in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
In the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh now features a total of 1.21,110 square kilometers marine
area counting Exclusive Economic Zone. With the marking of the maritime boundary, the
government is now composed to formulate policies and organize resources. Blue Economy is
one among the important tools available for achieving sustainable development for
Bangladesh. Bangladesh being a coastal also as riverine country depends heavily upon its
international shipping for the aim of foreign trade.
5.2 Blue Economy for Bangladesh:
As discussed earlier, Oceans cover 72% of the surface of our blue planet and quite 95% of the
biosphere. Oceans provide a considerable portion of the worldwide population with food and
livelihoods and are the means of transport for 80% of international trade. The sea and coastal
environment as well constitute a significant source for the important comprehensive tourism
industry and increasing field of nature-based tourism. The ocean currently provides 32% of
the all-inclusive supply of hydrocarbons with exploration expanding. Advancing technologies
are opening new frontiers of marine resource development from bioprospecting to the mining
of seabed natural resources. The ocean also offers enormous potential for renewable energy
production from wind, wave, tidal, thermal and biomass sources.
Throughout and following to the Rio +20 procedure there has been a upward gratitude that
the world’s Oceans and Seas require more detailed consideration and synchronized action.
This has been replicated in numerous creativities inter alia the UNDESA proficient group
meeting on Oceans, Seas and Sustainable Development, the work of the International Ocean
Commission, the Global Partnership for Oceans and therefore the importance given to oceans
and seas in the UN five-year Action Agenda 2012-2016. Strong oceans are indispensable for

18. Page | 18
universal food safety, livelihoods and economic progress. The oceans are both an engine for
global economic progress and a key source of food security. Food security is when all people,
at all times, have physical, social and economic admittance to adequate, harmless and
nutritious food to meet their nutritional needs and food preferences for an energetic and
healthy life.
The world faces one of the life-threating challenges of the 21st century. Approximately 9
billion people by 2050 in the face of climate change, economic and financial uncertainty and
the growing competition for natural resources. These several challenges need a unified
response and an urgent transition of the world economy to a sustainable, inclusive and
resource efficient path.
5.3 Ocean and Island based tourism destinations in Bangladesh:
Tourism which is one of the sectors of the blue economy in Bangladesh has been known as one of
the most lucrative business and the important to worldwide trades. Bangladesh has an unbelievable
open door and competence of turning into a tourist-based country. Tourism industry gives more
beginnings for work when contrasted with different ventures. Tourism business create huge
employment and helps to receive more foreign exchanges.
Reliably plenty of international travelers visit Bangladesh, and the number of visitors is expanding
step by step. Without a doubt, Bangladesh gets less total visitor than India and Nepal. However,
the situation is developing quick, in light of simple communication with the world.
Cox's Bazar: Cox’s Bazar is the most popular tourist's destination in Bangladesh. It is a fishing
harbor as well. The sea beach in Cox’s Bazar has an unbroken 120 Km sandy sea beach which is
called as one of the longest sea beaches in the world. Right now, Cox's Bazar is one of the most-
visited tourist destinations in Bangladesh.
St. Martin: This coral island (Saint Martin) has been the popular attraction of local and foreign
tourists in Bangladesh. The majority of its inhabitants live mainly from fishing. One can reach St.

19. Page | 19
martin-island within few hours from Teknaf in a short period. The number of tourists has increased
sharply in current years. It is considered one of the eco-tourism destinations in Bangladesh.
Kuakata: Kuakata has an outstanding view of the beginning and sunset from the same white sandy
beach in the water of the Bay of Bengal. The long band of dark, streaked sand stretches for about
18 kilometers. This sandy beach has mild grades into the Bay of Bengal. Many migrant winter
birds are staying in Kuakata. However, due to the underprivileged transport services to trip to
Kuakata, it has fewer visitors than cox's bazar.
Coastal tourism- Universally, coastal tourism is the largest market segment and signifies 5 per
cent of world GDP and contributes to 6-8 per cent of total employment. In 152 countries, it's one
among one of five highest export earners and in 65 it's the primary. It is the key source earning of
foreign exchange Least Developed Countries. Coastal tourism includes a) beach-based recreation
and entertainment, b) tourist activities in near to the ocean, and c) maritime boating. Ocean based
Sustainable tourism can create new jobs and reduce poverty. Tourism is human-resource intensive.
One job in the core industry generates one and a half supplementary jobs in the tourism-related
economy. Competence improvements, local engagement, sourcing local products and protection
local culture and environment can strengthen employment potential. Increasing participation of
host communities in the value chain can contribute to the growth of local economies and poverty
reduction. The private sector must be organized to funding sustainable tourism and needs
admittance to financing for investing in greening practices.
Recreational water sports, yachting and marinas- Introduction of various water sports for
recreational activities, construction and servicing of seaworthy pleasure boats and the essential
supporting infrastructure including marina ports would encourage development of coastal tourism.

20. Page | 20
Cruise tourism- Tourism based on individuals travelling by small size cruise ship in among the
coastal islands and tourist areas. Much of this development is dependent upon the sector’s
capability to mature sustainable business models, to capitalize in port infrastructure and to address
a variety of security anxieties. An ageing population and a larger share of awareness citizens will
lead to more demand for 'customized experiences'.
5.4 Existing Situation of Blue Economy in Bangladesh:
The Bay of Bengal delivers natural capital in the form of non-renewable resources and
ecosystem assets that offer a flow of services as inputs into Bangladesh’s blue economy.
However, despite the international recognition of the flow of benefits from these ecosystem
assets, measurement of the magnitude of these benefits is inherently difficult because many
of the values are not determined in market exchanges.
Perhaps the greatest recognized form of natural capital underpinning Bangladesh’s ocean
economy is stocks of sea fish. These include demersal finfish type, small and large oceanic
species (many of which are collected from stocks that span manifold jurisdictions within the
Bay of Bengal), cephalopods and crustaceans, which are often classified according to depths
harvested—in waters up to 42 meters deep, waters from 45 to 200 meters, and depths beyond
200 meters (Shamsuzzaman et al. 2017 and Hossain et al. 2014).
However, comprehensive knowledge is available on the potential size of the country’s fish
stocks, making it hard to characterize the potential sustainable yields and economic returns
from their use (Shamsuzzaman 2017). According to FAO (2014), the maximum sustainable
yield of demersal finfish would be on the order 40,000 to 55,000 metric tons per year, but no
estimates are available for pelagic finfish. The current estimates of the standing stocks, dating
to 1975, 1981, and 1985 (Shamsuzzaman 2017 and Hossain et al. 2014), give the following
levels:

21. Page | 21
Demersal fish —165,000 to 373,000 metric ton
Pelagic fish —92,000 to 200,000 metric tons
Shrimp —4,500 to 9,000 metric tons
Figure 1: Status of Bangladesh Ocean/Blue Economy and Ecosystems
But trends in the catch proposed that these standing stock figures were significant
underestimates. For 2012, total harvests were on the order of 580,000 metric tons, including
more than 200,000 metric tons of Hilsa shad, 60,000 metric tons of Bombay duck, 54,000
metric tons of shrimp and 48,000 metric tons of Pomfret (FAO 2014).

22. Page | 22
Indeed, in the absence of stock assessments, trends in catch rates are being used as clues
about stock status for many species. Sometimes they show declining stocks. For instance,
catch rates for finfish in coastal trawl fisheries14 fell by 38 percent between 1999 and 2009,
from 3,000 to 1,859 kg/day (FAO 2011). Using this type of evidence, some of the country’s
stocks have been characterized as geographically overexploited, with the age composition
of harvests skewing toward a high proportion of juveniles (Shamsuzzaman 2017, Islam et
al. 2017). As shown in Table 7, a large number of the stocks harvested in seawaters less
than 42 meters deep have been characterized as “fully fished” in a biological sense.
5.5 A Conceptual Outline to Implement Sustainable Blue Economy in
Bangladesh:
The Blue Economy abstracts oceans and seas by means of “Development Spaces” where
spatial planning assimilates conservation, sustainable usage of existing resources, oil and
mineral wealth abstraction, bio-prospecting, sustainable energy manufacture and marine
transport. The Blue Economy method is originated upon the valuation and combination of the
real value of the natural (ocean) capital into all aspects of economic activity
(conceptualization, forecasting, infrastructure advancement, trade, travel, renewable resource
exploitation, energy production and consumption). Every country must take its share of the
responsibility to protect the high seas, which cover 64 % of the surface of our oceans and
constitute more than 90% of their volume. With a view to improving food security,
eliminating poverty and bringing shared prosperity, universal leaders, ocean consultants,
scientists, and representatives from government, business, civil society and international
organizations must come together to explore action-oriented partnerships, governance
provisions, investment frameworks and new financing automobiles to turn the tide not only
on the health of Oceans but also how the resources of the sea could be used for economic
liberation. There is need to establish computable steps towards critical globally agreed targets
for fisheries, aquaculture, habitat protection and pollution decrease.
It should also highlight the necessity to deal with subsequent frontiers of successful
cohesive approaches that comprise public-private partners, protected financing and catalyze

23. Page | 23
good sea governance while reconciling tensions and balancing priorities between (I)
development and conservation, (ii) private sector benefits and equitable benefits for
communities and (iii) Areas beyond national jurisdiction and Exclusive Economic Zones
within the 200-mile limit from the coastline.
5.6 Balancing Growth and Conservation:
Policy makers like Governments and intercontinental institutions keen to spice up food
security and eliminate poverty face a careful balancing act between conservation and growth.
While fisheries and aquaculture produce significant social and economic profits for hundreds
of millions of people around the world, and have the probable to extend their contribution to
human welfare and development, sustainable development, based on the supports of
environmental, social and economic sustainability, entails reconciling several intersecting
agendas. There is also an essential to connection with institutions that contract directly or
indirectly with ocean issues across spatial and jurisdictional scales in ways that are well-
organized and effective, avoiding repetitions and conflicts. National governments can play a
crucial role in addressing these challenges, acting in their own and in performance with others
through international agreements including National and Regional Fisheries Management
Organizations and other local mechanisms such as the Regional Seas Program of the United
Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

24. Page | 24
5.7 Prospects and impacts of Blue Economy in Bangladesh:
Bangladesh has gigantic seaside and maritime resources along its south edge. Due to the
geographical location and climatic condition, the coastal area of the country is known as one of
the extremely productive areas of the world. Bangladesh is rich both in terms of its vast water areas
and in terms of the biotic variety. One of the unique landscapes of the coastal areas is the influence
of the mangrove forests, which sustenance a high number of fishes and other commercially
significant aquatic organisms.
Bangladesh designed by a delta plain at the confluence of the several trans-boundary vast rivers, in usually
characterized by its typical topographical settings, the Himalayan range in the North and the Bay of
Bengal in the South. These two unique landscapes factually shaped formation of major habitats
and human habitation, social-economic structures, development significances and, often, the basis
of relationship and diplomacy with the neighbors and other south Asian countries. Country’s 711
km long coast line ranging from the tip of St. Martin’s Island in the southeast to the west coast of
Satkhira and 121,110 km2
sea area are considered with uniquely differentiated ecosystems having
significant ecological and economic position and potential.
There will be a human drift to the southern part of Bangladesh owing to blue economic zone
development. It will generate employment opportunities and other income-generating activities,
advance other social services, security services and the overall standard of life for the local people
at coastal areas.
Figure 2: Composition of the Blue Economy in Bangladesh, percent of gross value added
(2014-2018)

25. Page | 25
However, Sector wise emphases are given below:
1) Fishery
A large number of commercially valuable fishes have long been exploited which are of high export
values. Shrimp aquaculture has become a highly traded export-oriented industry now-a-day.
Despite of having optimistic prospects, marine aquaculture on a viable basis along with marine
stock enrichment and sea ranching are yet to be developed.
The sea fisheries sector has been suffering from long-lasting disintegration and mismanagement
that have led to many consequences. Majority of the commercially imperative fish stocks are either
over-exploited or under peril. ocean pollution has reached a level that could generate an
uncontrollable situation in the near future; coastal shrimp farming has generated considerable
debates due to its hostile environmental and socio-economic impacts.
Globally 350 million career opportunities are connected to marine fisheries, with 90% of fishers
living in emerging countries. The worth of fish traded by developing countries is appraised at US$
25 billion assembly it their major single trade item (UN, 2012).

26. Page | 26
Fishing activities will continue to focus a large part of economic and food output for many
emerging countries. As demand for fish remains to grow, Bangladesh needs to explore possibilities
to keep promoting from this activity while ensuring sustainable management of stocks too.
2) Aquaculture
Aquaculture gives huge potential for the provision of food and livelihoods, though greater
efficiency in provision of feed to aquaculture need to be realized, including reduced fish protein
and oil and amplified plant protein content, if the industry is to be ever-lasting. Aquaculture under
the Blue Economy will integrate the value of the natural capital in its growth, respecting ecological
diameter through the cycle of manufacture, generating sustainable, attired employment and
providing high value commodities for export trade.
Aquaculture is the rapid growing universal food sector now providing 47% of the fish for human
consumption. As the demand for fish continues to raise and the availability of wild-capture fish
reductions, there will be a greater role for aquaculture to enlarge the wild capture supply and ensure
that wild stocks for Bangladesh.
3) Food Security
One billion people in developing countries like Bangladesh rely on seafood for their fundamental
source of protein. Besides this all around the globe, plenty of people like seafood. Oceans can be
the biggest sources for food for all the emerging countries and may assist to meet the challenges
of food security issue too.
4) Tourism
Tourism is a major global industry. Major amount of global tourism is presented on the marine
and coastal environment and it is set to rise. Trends in aging populations, rising earnings and

27. Page | 27
relatively low transportation costs will make coastal and ocean locations ever more attractive.
Cruise tourism is the rapid growing field in the leisure and travel industry. It was 16 million in
2011.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), approximately one of
every two tourists visited the seaside. However, it may expose business and employ opportunity
through new hotel, restaurant or other entertaining industry etc. In 2012, for the first time, the
number of global tourist arrivals reached over ten million. Emerging countries like Bangladesh,
India, Nepal etc. Sustainable tourism is a key economic segment, which may contribute to the
national income, foreign exchange earnings and investment. Sustainable tourism needs to be
mainstreamed into national and local planning along with into technical cooperation, public
economical support and public-private partnerships.
5) Shipping and Maritime Transport
Shipping is the lifeblood of the global economy. In today’s modern world, ports play a tactical role
for the national trade and economy. The coastal and sea fisheries have been playing significant
roles not only in the social and economic development of the country but also in the local
ecological balance. Estimates suggest some 30 million Bangladeshi directly rely on oceanic
economic actions like fisheries and commercial transport.
About 50% of the world’s population, most of its major cities and industries along with important
value chains tend to be intense in coastal areas to ensure access to transport routes and continuous
flows of resources and products. Without marine and sea routes, globalization as we know it could
not have been possible. Maritime transport is very vital for Bangladesh as its social-economic
prospects mainly rely on their ability to attach to the rest of the world and access universal markets.

28. Page | 28
6) Renewable Marine Energy
In 2009 offshore arenas estimated for 32% of worldwide crude oil production and this is
anticipated to upsurge to 34% in 2025. Oil will remain the foremost energy source for many years
to come but the Ocean offers mammoth potential for the generation of renewable energy-wind,
wave, tidal, biomass, thermal conversion and brininess gradients. Claim for renewable energy is
expected to rise two and a half times by 2035 around the globe and Bangladesh is not exception
of it.
The provision of renewable energy from tides and waves, wind turbines located in seashore areas,
marine geothermal resources and marine biomass could be feasible substitutes for contributory to
energy needs and environment change moderation aims. For Small Island Developing State
(SIDS), such renewable energy bases could help expand their vigor portfolios and secure higher
heights of energy security. Of all the marine sources, the highest potential for electricity production
is in the offshore wind turbines division. Global offshore wind volume is growing at the
unbelievable rate of 40% every year, producing 7100 megawatts of electricity in 2013.
7) Biotechnology and Medical Technology
The global market for marine biotechnology harvests and processes is currently valued at US $ 2.8
billion and counted to grow to around US$ 4.6 billion by 2017. Marine bio-tech has the potential
to address a suite of global challenges such as sustainable food supplies, human health, energy
security and ecological redress. Marine bacteria are a rich source of possible medications. In 2011
there were above 36 marine resulting drugs in clinical advancement, belonging 15 for the treatment
of cancer. One area where marine bio-tech may make a critical contribution is the advancement of
new antibiotics. The potential possibility is massive; by 2006 more than 14,000 novel chemicals
had been recognized by marine bio-prospecting and 300 patents recorded on marine non artificial
products. On the energy obverse algal bio-fuels offer auspicious predictions. The European science
Foundation hypothesizes a production capacity of 20 - 80 thousand liters of oil per hectare in every
year can be gained from micro algal culture, even the lower portion of this series being
significantly sophisticated than earthly bio-fuel yields.

29. Page | 29
5.8 Blue Economic Region of Bangladesh: path Middle-Income Country:
World Bank (2014) stated that middle-income economies are those with a Gross National Income
(GNI) per capita of more than US$ 1045 but less than US$ 12,746. Bangladesh has reached in
lower-middle-income country category in the year 2014, as it gained US$ 1080.00 which was only
US$ 958 in 2013.
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) reported that the per capita income in Bangladesh rose from
$ 1190 to $ 1314 on May 14, 2015. Gimenez, et al. (2014) stated that the vision 2021 plan and the
allied respective plan 2010-2021, accepted by the Government of Bangladesh lay out a series of
development targets for 2021. Among the core targets identified to observe the progress toward
the vision 2021 objectives is that of attaining a poverty headcount of 14 percent by 2021.
The rate of poverty headcount was about 28.5 percent by 2015, which meaningfully in advance of
planned at Millennium Development Goal (MDG). Attaining the vision 2021 poverty target of 14
percent by 2021, however, is less certain as it entails a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of
at least 8%, or more than 2 % points advanced than that experiential in recent years.
In accordance with the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (2016) accounts, GDP in Bangladesh was
7.11% in FY: 2015-2016 at Bangladesh and projected to be improved at 7.20 in 2017 (BBS, 2016).
So, the drift is optimistic, and if Bangladesh fail to utilize all the likely scopes as spreading sectors,
marine resources, it may not be imaginable to become a Middle-Income Country within the
probable year by 2021.
Bangladesh has a goal to graduate from the Least Development Country (LDC) position to that of
a middle-income country by 2021 as per the United Nations’ cataloguing. In this context, it is very
important to assess the capacity of the country’s social structure in achieving the desired level of
economic growth rate and later the beset per capita income level.
The marine properties are designated, while stress is given to living resources, particularly
ecosystems and fisheries. Of the inter-tidal ecosystems, mangroves are the most diverse and

30. Page | 30
extremely productive and very vital county-wide. Considering the major area and global
background, fisheries and aquaculture are imperative, mainly for penaeid prawn (Penaeus
monodon) and also for pomfret, hilsa shed, bombay duck, mackerel, eel, ribbon fish, snapper, cat
fish and Indian salmon.
Bangladesh can develop the port facility, volume and upsurge in facts too. Having more ports and
developing the existing two more ports will be lower operating costs, even from the higher sized
of vessels too. With tourism all the scopes can help to attend the goals consequently (See Figure
3). More business activity will increase the service prospect for Bangladeshi people too which will
directly help to attend the required level of GDP to become a middle-income country.
Figure 3: Blue Economy Zone Utilization

31. Page | 31
CHAPTER-6
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS

32. Page | 32
6.1 Analysis of Questionnaire:
Demographic profile of the respondents:
Age Gender Occupation
18-28
29-39
40 & above
10
15
5
Male-17
Female-13
Hotel Employees-5
Restaurant Employees-5
Tour Operator-5
Job Holder-3
Business man-5
Others-7
This section shows the analysis and interpretations from the questionnaire conducted wherein a
sample size of 30 was taken. This questionnaire was distributed among to the stakeholders, Govt.
authority and Tourists. The results gave a clear picture about the need and awareness of the concept
of Blue Economy.
40%
33%
17%
10%
Materlize its Blue Economy based Gigantic Plan
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree

33. Page | 33
If the Govt. can materialize its blue economy based gigantic plan, Bangladesh will turn into a
developed in a sustainable way. In this Statement maximum respondents answered positively and
their opinion is that Govt. Should prepare master plan in order to proper utilize our oceans-based
resources.
Biotechnology and medical technologies will be flourished through researching on marine bio
species. With this statement, 37% Respondents are agreed ,23% are strongly agreed, 23% are
remain Neutral and 17% Respondents are answered Negatively.
23%
37%
23%
17%
Flourising Biotechnology and Medical Technologies
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
50%
27%
20%
3%
0%
CO-ORDINATION AND ALLIANCE
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

34. Page | 34
Effective co-ordination and alliance among various nations and states will ensure maritime
resource safety and security. Effective co-ordination and alliance not only ensure maritime
resource safety and security but also create a warm relationship with various nations and states
that is very needed to gain economic, political advantages and helping hand.
“Effective co-ordination and alliance among various nations and states will ensure maritime
resource safety and security.” With this statement, 27% Respondents are agreed ,50% are strongly
agreed, 20% are remain Neutral and 3% Respondents are answered Negatively.
Employment opportunities and food security can be ensured globally through blue economy. Blue
economy can be a good source of income and employment generation. Ocean is a vital source of
food. Different spices fish and crab are available in ocean. “Employment opportunities and food
security can be ensured globally through blue economy”. With this statement, about 86%
respondents are agreeing.
40%
46%
7%
7%
Employment opportunities and food security
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree

35. Page | 35
Ocean based renewable energy technologies can reduce the unexpected pressure on mineral
resources. Many marine-based renewable energy technologies are at relatively early stages of
development, so there is little in the way of demonstrated effectiveness, cost, or environmental
effects of large-scale ocean-based systems.
If countries and stakeholders work jointly on blue economy, they can transform their economy
more inclusive and robust. With this statement, 46% Respondents are agreed ,27% are strongly
agreed, 20% are remain Neutral and 7% Respondents are answered Negatively.
33%
47%
13%
7%
Ocean based renewable energy technologies
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
27%
46%
20%
7%
countries and stakeholders work jointly on blue
economy.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree

36. Page | 36
To form proper legal and policy framework for blue economy will assist a particular region to
reach its goals. The Blue Economy serves as a framework and policy for sustainable marine
economic activities as well as new marine-based technologies.
If waterfront cities and towns authority come forward, blue economy benefits will be attainable
for general people. The blue economy is not just about market opportunities; it also provides for
the protection and development of more intangible 'blue' resources such as traditional ways of life,
23%
33%
27%
10%
7%
proper legal and policy framework
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
25%
37%
19%
13%
6%
blue economy benefits
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

37. Page | 37
carbon sequestration, and coastal resilience to help vulnerable states mitigate the often-devastating
effects of climate change.
Effective plan and industry mechanism can drive successful transition into sustainable energy
sources. With this statement, 47% Respondents are agreed ,33% are strongly agreed, 13% are
remain Neutral and 7% Respondents are answered Negatively.
33%
47%
13%
7%
Effective plan and industry mechanism
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
34%
50%
13%
3%
proper education and awareness communities
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree

38. Page | 38
Receiving proper education and awareness communities can assist to conserve and protect the
aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem. With this statement, 50% Respondents are agreed ,34% are
strongly agreed, 13% are remain Neutral and 3% Respondents are answered Negatively
6.2 Challenges for Sustainable Development of Blue Economy:
The role of ocean assets in financial condition reduction, autarchy in food productions,
safeguarding natural balance, facing contradictory effects of environmental amendment et al.
economic potential outcomes area unit unlimited. However, with the chances and possible
outcomes the difficulties conjointly companion. Future may well be the difficulties:
❖ The absence or severe lack of ‘proper policy’ and ‘marine related peoples and resource
individuals’ at higher policy levels and similar national organizations or body in relevant
ministry is a significant drawback for the execution of many issues related to the capacity
expansion of different maritime sectors in Bangladesh.
❖ We have to be obliged to guarantee our sovereignty over the entire coastal space and
upholding the safety over the commercial coastal area.
❖ Lack of knowledge, skilled workforce, and technology to take supreme benefits from the
blue economy, especially for manipulating deep-sea fishes and seabed resources.
❖ Lack of friendly combination of visionary political leadership, well-organized
bureaucracy, investors of real entrepreneurial attitude and innovative growth thinkers to
succeed in that plan.
❖ We have no healthy master plan which will be focused on the whole coastal belt and
targeting extra-regional players.
❖ Founding marine friendly infrastructure for marine tourism.
❖ Keeping up an investment-friendly atmosphere in the specific area.
❖ Cost-effective utilization of biodiversity.
❖ Protecting mangrove and ocean grass.
❖ Addressing ecological change and managing carbon discharge.
❖ Stopping acidification of waters.
❖ Keeping ocean area free from pollution.

39. Page | 39
CHAPTER-7
CONCLUSION

40. Page | 40
7.1 Conclusion:
Sustainable Blue Economy can give us the optimum assistances of our marine resources as
we also anxiety about the maintenance of our marine possessions and seaside area. We are
using the sea and its resources but yet to use it more and yet to discover the potentials for
our economy and the people of Bangladesh. Based on the situations of other countries about
Blue Economy, in our paper we suggested some guidelines to exploit Blue Economy notion
in sustainable manner which is else called as Sustainable Blue Economy. Bangladesh is
standing at a very appropriate position to take the advantage of the Blue Economy, but the
Blue Economy should be loomed as Sustainable Blue Economy, as we want to attain the
SDG Goal-14. The economy of Bangladesh is naturally affected by natural, cultural, and
other societal factors. So, the opportunity of transitioning from unmaintainable growth
strategies to sustainable approaches can be made through blue or ocean economy in our
country. To help achieve such a transition, countries have entree to a range of
groundbreaking strategies. By taking only strategic policies we have to materialized the
Blue Economy, we don’t have the extravagance to lose the chance due to mishandlings and
improper planning; we strongly suggest accepting actual strategies for the Sustainable Blue
Economy (SBE). The Blue Economy will improve the mean and enactment of processes
that assimilate science, awareness, cultural and social change and lead to real upgrading in
economic, environmental and ecological condition and social well-being. Moving into
more cooperative and inclusive patterns of work by attaching the full potential of all
performers becomes essential. Bangladesh can be a successful standard of Blue Economy
for the developing world. We ponder Blue Economy not only the means of using ocean and
marine resources, but also a way of providing protected life for coastal people of
Bangladesh.

41. Page | 41
CHAPTER-8
BIBLIOGRAPHY

42. Page | 42
8.1 Bibliography:
❖ Michael V B, Marine Technologies- an Ocean of Opportunities, 2012,
http://www.mvb-euroconsult.com/
❖ Blue Economy Concept Paper, ‘Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform,
United Nations (UN), January 2014.
❖ Bay of Bengal Maritime Boundary Arbitration between Bangladesh and India, Press
Release, Permanent court of Arbitration, The Hague, July 14, 2014. & World Bank
Report on Blue Economy. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world
factbook/geos/bg.html
❖ Snelgrove, P. (Convenor), Berghe, E.V., Miloslavich, P., et al. (2016) Global Patterns
nin Marine Biodiversity, Chapter 34.
http://www.un.org/depts/los/global_reporting/WOA_RPROC/Chapter_34.pdf.
❖ Dev, A.K. (1998) Fake Blue Revolution: Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts
of Shrimp Culture in the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh. Ocean & Coastal Management,
41, 63-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-5691(98)00074-X
http://www.academia.edu/10376692/Fake_blue_revolution_environmental_and_soci
o economic_impacts_of_shrimp_culture_in_the_coastal_areas_of_Bangladesh
❖ Hossain, M.S. (2001) Biological Aspects of the Coastal and Marine Environment of
Bangladesh. Ocean & Coastal Management, 44, 261-282.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-5691(01)00049-7
❖ Hunt, B. and Vincent, A.C.J. (2006) Scale and Sustainability o
Marine Bioprospecting for Pharmaceuticals. AMBIO: A
Journal of Human Environment,35,57-64.
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1579/00447447%282006%2935%5B57%3ASAS
O MB%5D2.0.CO%3B2

43. Page | 43
❖ Creel, L. (2003) Ripple Effects: Population and Coastal Region, Population Reference
Bureau, 1-9.
https://books.google.com.br/books/about/Ripple_Effects.html?id=8qcltwAACAAJ&
r edir_esc=y
❖ Shaker, R.R. (2015) The Spatial Distribution of Development in Europe and Its
Underlying Sustainability Correlations. Applied Geography , 63, 304-314.
❖ Pauli, G. (2010) The Blue Economy: 10 Years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million Jobs.
Paradigm Publications, United States, 386.
❖ BBC Online (2013) Sea-Level Rise Due to Climate Change Has Already Raised the
Risk of Extreme Floods in Major Coastal Cities around the World, and Many Are
Slowly Sinking into the Oceans.http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130613-the-
rising-threat-to-our-cities
❖ World Bank (2012) The Living Oceans. http://go.worldbank.org/A2MYFIUQM0
❖ Blue Economy Concept Paper (2012) The Rio+20, United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, 2012, Reo de Janeiro, Brazil.
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/2978BEconcept.pdf
❖ The Case of “Dispute Concerning Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary between
Bangladesh and Myanmar in the Bay of Bengal”. International Tribunal for the Law
of the Sea (ITLOS), 14 March 2012, Hamburg, Germany.
❖ The Case of “The Bay of Bay of Bengal Maritime Boundary Arbitration between the
People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Republic of India” Permanent Court of
Arbitration, 7 July, 2014, The Hague, Netherlands.
❖ Ocean/Blue Economy for Bangladesh by Rear Admiral M.Khurshed Alam. Secretary,
MAU. MOFA, Bangladesh. https://minicom.gov.bd.
❖ Islam, M.S. (2003) Perspectives of the Coastal and Marine Fisheries of the Bay of
Bengal, Bangladesh. Ocean & Coastal Management, 46, 763-796.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-5691(03)00064-4
❖ Islam, M.M. (2016) Bangladesh National Conservation Strategy: Coastal and Marine

44. Page | 44
Resources. Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh, 2-3.
❖ FAO (2010) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 2010.
FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department.
❖ FCCA (2012) Cruise Industry Overview 2011.
❖ United Nations World Tourism Organization (2013) Annual Report 2013.
❖ International Energy Agency (2011) World Energy Outlook 2011.
IEA,Paris.http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/weo2010.p
df
❖ Roney, J.M. (2013) 2013 to be Record Year for Offshore Wind. Earth Policy Institute.
http://www.earth-policy.org/plan_b_updates/2013/update117
❖ UNESCO, IMO, FAO, UNDP (2011) A Blueprint for Ocean and Coastal
Sustainability.Paris. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002150/215002e.pdf
❖ https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/26843
❖ Alam, M.K. 2004. Bangladesh’s maritime challenges in the 21st century. Dhaka:
Pathak Shamabesh Book.

45. Page | 45
Appendix -A
Demographic Profile
Name: Gender:
E-mail ID: Mobile No.:
Age Group: a) Below 18 b) 18-28 c) 29-39 d) 40 and Above
Occupation: a) Student b) Business c) Service d) Housewife e) Others
1) Do you have any idea about blue economy?
1) Yes 2) No
2) Do you think that blue economy can be the way of sustainable development?
1)Yes 2) No
Scale 5 4 3 2 1
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
1. If the Govt. can materialize its blue economy based
gigantic plan, Bangladesh will turn into a developed in
a sustainable way.
2. Biotechnology and medical technologies will be
flourished through researching on marine bio species.
3. Effective co-ordination and alliance among various
nations and states will ensure maritime resource safety
and security.
4. Employment opportunities and food security can be
ensured globally through blue economy.
5. Ocean based renewable energy technologies can reduce
the unexpected pressure on mineral resources.

46. Page | 46
6. If countries and stakeholders work jointly on blue
economy, they can transform their economy more
inclusive and robust.
7. To form proper legal and policy framework for blue
economy will assist a particular region to reach its
goals.
8. If waterfront cities and towns authority come forward,
blue economy benefits will be attainable for general
people.
9. Effective plan and industry mechanism can drive
successful transition into sustainable energy sources.
10. Receiving proper education and awareness
communities can assist to conserve and protect the
aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem.