Bangladesh’s Bay Survey: Norwegian Vessel to Study Fish and Ecosystem

From 21 August to 21 September, Norway’s state-of-the-art research vessel R.V. Dr. Fridtjof Nansen will conduct a 32-day survey in the Bay of Bengal to assess fish stocks and marine ecosystems. A total of 26 researchers from around the world, including 13 national experts from Bangladesh, will participate in the study.

“The researchers’ work will help reveal the potential of Bangladesh’s deep-sea resources, facilitate sustainable fisheries, and enrich the scientific knowledge base for marine environment conservation,” said Farida Akhter, Fisheries and Livestock Advisor, during a press conference at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock on Tuesday, 19 August.

She added, “The researchers will determine the relative abundance and stock of small pelagic and mesopelagic fish in coastal and deep-sea areas while assessing the overall health of the ecosystem. This will enable future limits for sustainable harvesting and create significant opportunities for exploring and exploiting commercial fishery resources in deep and international waters.”

During the survey, scientists will also measure sea temperature and column profiles, salinity, nutrients, turbidity, productivity, and current direction and velocity.

“This survey marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s marine resource management history. The scientific data collected will directly support national policies on fisheries conservation, sustainable harvesting, climate change adaptation, and marine environment protection,” Farida Akhter noted. “Additionally, it will enhance the skills of Bangladeshi scientists and strengthen international cooperation. Habitat maps will be created according to various ocean depths and environments, aiding species conservation and fisheries management.”

She emphasized, “Mesopelagic fish and plankton form the foundation of the marine food chain. Data on their biomass, species diversity, and distribution in deep-sea areas will be collected, which is crucial for understanding ecosystem health and commercial fish productivity.”

The R.V. Dr. Fridtjof Nansen previously conducted surveys in Bangladesh’s maritime territory in 1979 and 1980. Most recently, in 2018, the vessel collaborated with the FAO and Norway’s Institute of Marine Research (IMR) to study fish stocks and marine ecosystems in the Bay of Bengal.