Marine Pollution Prevention in Bangladesh: A Way Forward for Implement Comprehensive National Legal Framework

After the permanent demarcation of maritime boundary with Myanmar and India, the Bangladesh government has emphasized on development of marine resources for enhancing its economy. However, Bangladesh faces several challenges in achieving blue growth, of which protecting marine environment from coastal and marine pollution is important. Without appropriate control measures, coastal and marine ecosystem are largely unprotected due to land-based and sea-based pollution sources that includes sewage pollution, industrial pollution, coastal development, habitat destruction etc. which collectively create microbial pollution. The oceanic parts of this country are rich in marine resources including diversity of fishes but pollution has devastating impacts on marine biota including human health. At present, Bangladesh has no ocean governance or policy to protect the resources from pollution. In this context, this paper provides a comprehensive policy framework for marine pollution control in Bangladesh with analysis of national and international legislation. A case study also illustrated to understand the present status of shipbreaking pollution in this region.