Tk 120cr project to assess marine resources

A project has been taken to conduct a survey to assess the quantity of marine resources in the Bay of Bengal.Photo: STAR

A project of Tk 120 crore has been taken to conduct a survey to assess the quantity of marine resources in 1.64 lakh square kilometre areas under water territory of the country.
Under the project, Department of Fisheries (DoF) will conduct the marine survey in the Bay of Bengal, sources said.
The government in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) conducted such a survey in 1974, leaving the present state and stock of marine resources in the 1.41 lakh sq km area of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in the sea unknown that will hamper proper management of the marine resources, they said.
The government approved the Tk 120 crore project funded by Islamic Development Bank (IDB), a financial institute of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), late last year, sources said.
A project director was appointed to prepare a “set-up” for the five-year project to be implemented by 2012, they said.
Having the survey vessel Anusandhan out of order since long, the DoF will have to procure another vessel before starting the survey under the project, partially funded by Malaysia.
As such preparation of the “set-up” that will also determine shape and requirements of the vessel for the survey has started without delay, sources said.
The survey vessel will be procured following the requirement of the project, which might take around two years, said DoF Director (Marine) Md Sanaullah.
Procurement of the vessel through tender is likely to cost around Tk 60 crore while rest of the fund will be spent for the survey, he added.
Project Director Anwarul Islam said preparation of the “set-up” that started in January has already been completed.
“We are now looking for recruiting people in the "set-up" and expect to start the project work in full swing within this month,” Anwarul said.
The "set-up" comprising around 70 personnel, includes marine expert, researchers, surveyors and other staffs, he said.
The project director also said they expect to procure the vessel and go for conducting survey by the end of 2009.
DoF Director General Rafiqul Islam said the survey is needed to know the stock of marine resources in the Bay of Bengal.
He said the knowledge on the actual stock will help them determine the optimum level of harvest and go for proper management of the marine resources.
The survey will also help them identify the areas where fishing can be encouraged or restricted and thus help the country's marine resources enrich further, he added.