Marine Fisheries Act 2020 of Bangladesh: A Missed Opportunity for Sustainability and Collaborative Governance

Abstract

This article critically examines the Marine Fisheries Act 2020 of Bangladesh. The Act replaced the Marine Fisheries Ordinance 1983 with a view to upgrading the regulation of fisheries resources in Bangladesh's marine waters. However, a substantial portion of the Act replicates the 1983 Ordinance. Critically, the Act does not incorporate the internationally recognised principles and measures of fisheries management, despite Bangladesh's international obligations. Moreover, the new law is silent about capacity development of relevant government agencies and community engagement. Overall, it was a missed opportunity for Bangladesh to include sustainability and collaborative governance principles in its marine fisheries sector.