To sustainably exploit new resources, we need better mapping to allow a proper strategy to be put into place
Bangladesh secured nearly four-fifths of the 25,000 square kilometres of disputed maritime areas which were settled by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague recently.
Together with the 2012 international tribunal ruling, giving Bangladesh the benefit of 111,631 square kilometres disputed by Myanmar, the settlement opens the door to potentially large new maritime resources.
Clear delineation of boundaries is particularly helpful in relation to exploring hydrocarbon reserves. The government has encountered lukewarm interest to plans to seek investment in oil and gas exploration. Added legal certainty should help revive interest in tenders to explore these resources.
The settlement of disputes over the continental shelf makes it imperative for the government to facilitate comprehensive surveys of resources available in the country’s exclusive economic zone in the Bay of Bengal. A start has been made with the presentation of the country’s first integrated maritime border map by Chittagong University, but much more needs to be done.
This is vital not only to assess the scope for exploiting new resources, but also to protect existing habitats and resources.
An expanded area for fishing will help provide more food security to supplement costal aquaculture and fisheries. In order to sustainably exploit new resources, however, we need better mapping to allow a proper strategy to be put into place.
This will need to include investing in new equipment and improving skills to enable more offshore fishing for a start, let alone permit access to other mineral and seabed resources. The government must not delay on making proper plans.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
