The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) hosted a national-level dissemination workshop to present findings from its Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA), underscoring the pressing impact of climate change on Bangladesh’s essential fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
The workshop on Monday (28 October) introduced the in-depth CRVA, which outlines vital recommendations for enhancing climate resilience in the fisheries sector, particularly for women and marginalised groups who bear the brunt of environmental shifts, said a press release.
Attending the event were Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Representative in Bangladesh; and Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
The event was chaired by Md Zillur Rahman, director general of the Department of Fisheries.
As a crucial pillar of Bangladesh’s economy, fisheries and aquaculture contribute 2.53% to the national GDP and 22.26% to the agricultural GDP. This sector underpins the livelihoods of over 12% of the nation’s nearly 170 million people, accounting for about 0.80% of national export earnings and supplying approximately 60% of the daily animal protein intake.
However, the sector now faces significant climate threats, necessitating urgent resilience-building measures.
Recent insights from the CRVA expose the worrying climate-related vulnerabilities affecting fisheries and aquaculture, emphasising the unequal effects on both male and female fishers and the need for focused adaptation strategies. Conducted under the Community-based Climate Resilient Fisheries and Aquaculture Development initiative, the CRVA is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
In collaboration with the FAO, the Government of Bangladesh is implementing vital measures to enable vulnerable fishing communities to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This includes skill enhancement and the introduction of climate-resilient technologies in fisheries and aquaculture.
“Climate change is already impacting our fisheries and aquaculture sectors, posing serious threats to livelihoods. The CRVA report highlights these risks and provides essential data to guide our adaptation efforts. We must ensure that local communities, especially women, are actively involved in shaping solutions to these challenges,” stated Farida Akhter, Adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
Jiaoqun Shi, FAO Representative in Bangladesh, added, “Fisheries and aquaculture sectors of Bangladesh face increasing risks from climate change, threatening the livelihoods of millions. The FAO team has shared the findings from the CRVA report today, which provides critical insights into these risks, particularly for vulnerable communities. FAO will continue to support the Government of Bangladesh to act on these recommendations, to protect fisheries and empower the most affected, especially women and marginalised groups, for a better life, leaving no one behind.”
The CRVA recommendations centre on the "Four Betters"—Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, and Better Life—advocating sustainable growth and climate resilience in fisheries and aquaculture. These findings will be further communicated to policymakers and stakeholders to forge actionable plans that equip the sector to withstand climate challenges.
The workshop marks a significant milestone in raising awareness and fostering collaboration among key sectoral stakeholders. Insights from the CRVA will drive the formulation of national policies aimed at sustaining and fortifying the fisheries and aquaculture industries in Bangladesh against the ongoing and future impacts of climate change.
