Blue Action (BAF) - Sustho Sagor (Healthy Ocean) - Sharing responsibilities and benefits from well managed MPAs for a healthy ocean and thriving communities in Bangladesh

WorldFish aims to strengthen the resilience, wellbeing, and adaptive capacity of vulnerable coastal fishing communities in Bangladesh by promoting inclusive and sustainable livelihood opportunities linked to marine conservation outcomes. A central goal is to reduce dependence on declining fish stocks by enabling households in and around the Nijhum Dwip Marine Protected Area (MPA) and the proposed Blue Belt OECM to adopt diversified, climate-resilient, and nature-based enterprises such as aquaculture, seaweed farming, crab culture, eco-tourism, dried fish processing, and homestead production systems. WorldFish also seeks to empower women socially and economically through the establishment of Women’s Income and Nutrition Groups (WING), which strengthen savings behavior, enterprise skills, household nutrition, and financial independence. Another key goal is to enhance community stewardship of marine resources through Fisheries Conservation Groups (FCGs), engaging fishers in sustainable fishing practices, compliance monitoring, local conservation actions, and stronger participation in resource governance. Through Community Volunteer (CV) networks, WorldFish intends to improve access to literacy, nutrition awareness, biodiversity knowledge, early warning information, and essential financial, legal, and social protection services for coastal households. The project further aims to strengthen recognition of small-scale fishers’ rights by supporting fisher registration systems and promoting inclusive policy approaches aligned with international good practices, including the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries. In partnership with government agencies and local stakeholders, WorldFish seeks to generate evidence through socio-economic and knowledge assessments, apply learning for adaptive implementation, and ensure that community voices are reflected in marine management and planning processes. Ultimately, WorldFish’s goal is to demonstrate that biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement can be mutually reinforcing, creating resilient communities, healthier marine ecosystems, greater gender equity, and sustainable blue economy opportunities that contribute to Bangladesh’s long-term development priorities.

To design and implement inclusive, climate-resilient, and nature-based livelihood solutions that reduce vulnerability of coastal households, improve food security and incomes, strengthen community institutions, and support sustainable management of marine resources in and around the Nijhum Dwip MPA and proposed Blue Belt OECM.