CHAPTER 13 • Coastal Zone Management: Issues and Initiatives in Small South Asian Nations 241
13.3.3.3
Aquaculture
The rapid irrational and unplanned growth of shrimp aquaculture has often been at the
cost of the mangroves. At present, a majority of shrimp farms are located in the dense,
remaining mangrove areas on the west coast and there is no legislation to control the
aquaculture of shrimps. The growth of shrimp aquaculture in coastal brackishwater
areas has also been responsible for pollution and environmental degradation in coastal
and inshore areas. Indiscriminate collection of shrimp fry also damages the nursery
grounds of many species and harms newly afforested mangrove areas.
Nearshore fisheries are overexploited. The extensive use of destructive set bagnets
is believed to be responsible for this in the estuarine and neritic waters. In the absence
of an Cl1iequate number of hatcheries, the collection of wild tiger shrimp post-larvae
in estuaries and nearshore waters by this fishing methods lead to destruction of other
shrimp and finfish species. Estimates indicate that more than 1600 individuals of nontarget macro-zooplankton were killed while collecting one tiger shrimp post-larva.
13.3.3.4
Natural Disasters
Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to cyclonic storms, tidal wave activity and floods. Besides the huge losses to life, property and natural habitats caused by such natural calamities, they also often lead to inundation of freshwater ponds and canals with saline
water, affecting freshwater fish.
13.3.3.5
Siltation
The high sedimentation load in rivers is a consequence of increased erosion in the
Himalayas and Assam Hills, frequent floods as well as the increased erosion of topsoil
due to coastal and inland deforestation and depletion of vegetation. Construction of
embankments and earthworks, undertaken as a part of coastal development projects
are also believed to interfere with the natural patterns of siltation. This has resulted in
the siltation of inshore waters, habitat degradation - especially of the benthic region -
high turbidity and reduced pattern of light.
Siltation at the mouth of the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river systems is actively
reshaping the coastal and nearshore habitats. As the rate of sedimentation has increased
exponentially during the last century, this is believed to have had a great impact on
fisheries. Change in the topography, increased turbidity, entrapment of pollutants are
some of the detrimental effects.
Based on the above coastal issues, it has become essential to prioritize the coastal
zone management programmes for sustainable development of the coastline of
Bangladesh. As yet, Bangladesh has no legislation specific to coastal area management.
Although there is a coastal environment management plan, currently this has no legal
status. Now, a National Environment Action Plan has been formulated to address environmental issues in an integrated manner. This programme identifies the management
of coastal and marine resources as an important i~sue calling for appropriate action.
13.3.3.3
Aquaculture
The rapid irrational and unplanned growth of shrimp aquaculture has often been at the
cost of the mangroves. At present, a majority of shrimp farms are located in the dense,
remaining mangrove areas on the west coast and there is no legislation to control the
aquaculture of shrimps. The growth of shrimp aquaculture in coastal brackishwater
areas has also been responsible for pollution and environmental degradation in coastal
and inshore areas. Indiscriminate collection of shrimp fry also damages the nursery
grounds of many species and harms newly afforested mangrove areas.
Nearshore fisheries are overexploited. The extensive use of destructive set bagnets
is believed to be responsible for this in the estuarine and neritic waters. In the absence
of an Cl1iequate number of hatcheries, the collection of wild tiger shrimp post-larvae
in estuaries and nearshore waters by this fishing methods lead to destruction of other
shrimp and finfish species. Estimates indicate that more than 1600 individuals of nontarget macro-zooplankton were killed while collecting one tiger shrimp post-larva.
13.3.3.4
Natural Disasters
Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to cyclonic storms, tidal wave activity and floods. Besides the huge losses to life, property and natural habitats caused by such natural calamities, they also often lead to inundation of freshwater ponds and canals with saline
water, affecting freshwater fish.
13.3.3.5
Siltation
The high sedimentation load in rivers is a consequence of increased erosion in the
Himalayas and Assam Hills, frequent floods as well as the increased erosion of topsoil
due to coastal and inland deforestation and depletion of vegetation. Construction of
embankments and earthworks, undertaken as a part of coastal development projects
are also believed to interfere with the natural patterns of siltation. This has resulted in
the siltation of inshore waters, habitat degradation - especially of the benthic region -
high turbidity and reduced pattern of light.
Siltation at the mouth of the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna river systems is actively
reshaping the coastal and nearshore habitats. As the rate of sedimentation has increased
exponentially during the last century, this is believed to have had a great impact on
fisheries. Change in the topography, increased turbidity, entrapment of pollutants are
some of the detrimental effects.
Based on the above coastal issues, it has become essential to prioritize the coastal
zone management programmes for sustainable development of the coastline of
Bangladesh. As yet, Bangladesh has no legislation specific to coastal area management.
Although there is a coastal environment management plan, currently this has no legal
status. Now, a National Environment Action Plan has been formulated to address environmental issues in an integrated manner. This programme identifies the management
of coastal and marine resources as an important i~sue calling for appropriate action.