Enhanced Coastal Fisheries (ECOFISH) Bangladesh

(Credit: Balram Mahalder, ECOFISH(BD) Research Associate — Participants in the first CRC-led fisheries training course gather fo ra photo in June 2015 in Barisal City; Bangladesh. (credit: CRC)

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), WorldFish, and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) have partnered to implement the 5-year Enhanced Coastal Fisheries (ECOFISH^BD) activity and selected CRC as a subgrantee on the initiative. ECOFISH^BD supports coastal capture fishing communities and other ecosystem users and key stakeholders to improve the resilience of the Meghna River estuarine ecosystem and the livelihoods it supports. ECOFISH^BD aims to improve science-based fisheries decision-making; strengthen fisheries adaptive co-management; and enhance the socio-economic resilience of hilsa fishing communities.

CRC provides technical expertise on stock assessment, local ecological knowledge, educational and research needs, co-management, and other project components. The first stock assessment and co-management training in Bangladesh for practitioners was designed and delivered by CRC/URI in May and June of 2015. This will be followed up with more intensive and targetted assistance.