Bangladesh is divided into its southern and western areas, as well as its capital Dhaka, by the powerful Padma River. However, Padma Bridge acts as a massive installation to connect those areas with Chattogram and Dhaka. On 25 June 2022, the Honourable Prime Minister opened the bridge as a stunning testament of nation’s sustainable development and pride. According to several economists, this will help the country’s GDP rise overall and will also enable the South and South-West regions’ GDP to grow. This bridge has also become very important for the growth of regional communication. Rail connectivity will make it easier and less expensive to move commodities across the Padma River. This issue’s lead story primarily focuses on the Padma Multipurpose Bridge so that readers may comprehend the magnitude of this national initiative.
The Blue Economy is an emerging concept that conceptualises the sustainable use of maritime resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and employment, and the health of ocean ecosystems. National and international ports have a considerable impact on the worldwide maritime industry. For economic growth, the port has integrated management that supports the essence of sustainable development of maritime resources. A connection between the port and the Blue Economy as a means of achieving sustainable development is brought to light in the section titled ‘Perspective.’
According to a study by Chattogram University and the FAO, Bangladesh consumes 47,775 kg of seaweed annually for foodstuff, 11,700 kg for feed and manure, 13,650 kg for cosmetics, and 24,375 kg for pharmaceuticals. They could soon contribute BDT 55.87 million to Bangladesh’s blue economy, according to the report. Seaweed farming can be used as a secondary source of income in addition to saltwater fishing. It has the potential to be lucrative, especially for women. If industrial entrepreneurs from related fields take the initiative and work with the government, they might open a door to a new world for Bangladesh’s Blue Economy. An article describing the promise of seaweed farming in Bangladeshi coastal regions is included in the ‘Horizon’ chapter of this issue.
There is not much longer for humanity to start managing the ocean responsibly. This gloomy truth raises the question of how our civilization can reverse the deterioration in ocean health while continuing reliant on the ocean for all of its needs in the face of a changing climate and a rapid loss of biodiversity. The United Nations General Assembly’s declaration of the “Ocean Decade,” also known as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021–2030, is based on the informed conviction of UN Member States that, in fact, this opportunity still exists and that, furthermore, ocean science must play a crucial role in this process. This issue’s ‘Purview’ chapter contains an article that discusses outcomes of the ocean decade.
Furthermore, the ‘News Bytes’ section will keep you up to date on all key maritime events and developments from the first quarter of this current year.
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