‘Legal report on the ecosystem approach to fisheries in Bangladesh‘ has recently been published by FAO. This critical report provides a preliminary assessment of Bangladesh’s fisheries regulatory framework, considering the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF), highlighting the strengths and gaps in the relevant national laws and policies. The present legal report on the EAF used the diagnostic tool to assess the alignment of selected policy and legal instruments of Bangladesh with the EAF. This assessment analysed the extent to which 82 EAF legal requirements, which are considered the minimum standards in legislating for the EAF, are reflected in Bangladesh’s policies and legislation relevant to the fisheries sector of the country and other relevant sectors (such as environment, wildlife, ecosystems, and maritime affairs). Based on this preliminary diagnosis, gaps were identified in the assessed instruments, and recommendations were made for improving the implementation of the EAF.
BCOLP’s founder and director, Dr Abdullah Al Arif, has contributed to this report as a co-author.
