Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Tuesday warned that unplanned fishing practices are steadily depleting Bangladesh’s marine fish stocks, creating a worrying situation both in coastal waters and the deeper sea where local fishers are still unable to operate effectively.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Department of Fisheries’ ‘Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries’ project at a city hotel, she stressed the need for an integrated plan that links coastal and deep-sea fishing.

“Bangladesh has enormous potential in marine fisheries, and we must utilise it wisely,” she said.

Referring to the situation of women fishers, Farida noted that only 4 percent have so far received fisher cards.

Though the number is small, she described it as a positive beginning, adding that women’s work still lacks proper recognition in society. Efforts are underway in various forums to ensure that recognition, she added, calling for broader engagement of women across sectors.

She also highlighted the unexplored potential of marine resources, saying many fish species remain unidentified and deep-sea fishing has yet to start on a full scale. Recent surveys have already provided important insights into existing stocks, she noted.

Sharing her experience from the COP30 discussions, the adviser said climate change has emerged as a major factor influencing marine fisheries worldwide. Its impact is particularly visible in Bangladesh’s coastal areas, she added, urging policymakers to place climate considerations at the centre of future planning.