The Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) has identified deep-sea fishing and Blue Economy expansion as the new frontier for Maheshkhali’s transformation, placing the sector alongside industrialization, energy hub development, and deep-sea port as its fourth strategic pillar.

The decision came at a high-level stakeholder consultation held in Dhaka on Monday, chaired by MIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, and joined by senior officials from key ministries and agencies involved in Blue Economy activities.

It is a universally accepted view that Maheshkhali holds immense potential, particularly due to its strategic geographic location,” said Chowdhury, adding that deep-sea fishing has now been elevated to national priority status following consultations with the Chief Adviser.

The meeting focused on drawing up an integrated action plan to advance deep-sea fishing, mariculture, export-oriented seafood processing, aquaculture, and marine research in Bangladesh’s maritime zones.

MIDA Executive Member Commodore Tanzim Faruq presented a detailed framework outlining the required regulatory, logistical, and investment steps, while Executive Member Md. Sarowar Alam stressed the urgency of policy reforms to capture opportunities in this high-growth sector.

Among the key decisions made were time-bound approval for deep-sea fishing vessels, streamlined jetty clearance in Khurushkul, bond facilities for seafood processors, and special incentives for shrimp and seafood industries.

Other measures include registration of all sea-going fishing boats and trawlers to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and allocation of coastal land to boost mariculture initiatives.

Senior officials from the Ministries of Fisheries and Livestock, Commerce, and Environment, as well as the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and Cox’s Bazar district administration attended the meeting, held at BIDA’s conference room.

MIDA said it will now consolidate the outcomes into a comprehensive implementation roadmap, to be pursued through regular coordination among relevant stakeholders.