US seeks Bangladesh’s cooperation to preserve oceans

The US ambassador in Dhaka expects that Bangladesh will join efforts, measures towards which will be proposed at next month’s ‘Our Ocean’ conference in Washington, to preserve oceans.

Marcia Bernicat said on Friday that the US wanted to act together with other countries through enhanced international cooperation, information-sharing, and coordinated action to ensure that illegal fishing is eliminated and create the space for legal, economically and environmentally sustainable fishing activities.

“I want to particularly spotlight the Safe Ocean Network – which is a global initiative to strengthen all aspects of the fight against illegal fishing, including detection, enforcement, and prosecution of those engage in illegal fishing,” she said at a seminar in Dhaka.

US Secretary of State John Kerry will be hosting the third annual “Our Ocean” conference to bring together global experts on marine conservation.

Ambassador Bernicat said she was happy to know that Bangladesh would be represented for the third consecutive time at this conference.

She also appreciated the steps Bangladesh has already taken to overcome the challenges of overfishing, marine pollution, and global climate change.

She particularly mentioned the “Swatch of No Ground,” a habitat for endangered whales, dolphins, and a wide variety of other marine life.

It is a 1738 square km area with an average depth of 900 metres, located to the south of Dublachar Island in the Bay of Bengal.

The government on Oct 27, 2014 designated the area as the first marine protected area of Bangladesh, restricting fishing and other offshore commercial activities there.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) organised the seminar on ‘new investment horizon: blue economy’. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Energy Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury was also present, among others.

Conservation and sustainable use of oceans is a goal of the new SDGs agenda for 2030.