​​​​​​​On Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh (Goal 14)

On Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh (Goal 14)

Md. Amzad Hossain

Perth, Western Australia

Email: A.Hossain@curtin.edu.au

The Words of Wisdom on Water Conservation

• The cure for anything is salt water — sweat, tears, or the sea. ~Isa Dinesen
• Pure water is the world’s first and foremost medicine. ~Slovakian proverb
• We must plant the sea and herd its animals using the sea as farmers instead of hunters. That is what civilization is all about - farming replacing hunting. --  Jacques Yves Cousteau, Oceanographer
• Eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for God loveth not the wasters (Quran 7: 21).
• Only we humans make waste that nature can’t digest. — Charles Moore, Marine Researcher
• Children of Adam, dress well whenever you are at worship, and eat and drink (as we have permitted) but do not be extravagant: God does not like extravagant people (Quran 7:31).
• And do good as God has been good to you. And do not seek to cause corruption in the earth. Allah does not love the corrupters (Quran 28:77).

Prelude

“About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered. The oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth's water. Water also exists in the air as water vapor, in rivers and lakes, in icecaps and glaciers, in the ground as soil moisture and in aquifers, and even in you and your dog. Water is never sitting still”.[i] However, only a fraction of global waters is fresh and increasingly getting scarce largely due to unsustainable utilization. At the same time, ocean water and resources are also being polluted and threatened beyond their natural replenishment capacity.

In order to underpin sustainability of water resources, SDG14 requires to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”.[ii] To achieve SDG14 the UN has set up some imperatives in terms of target areas or directives globally. Briefly, those imperatives are to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds; sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems; minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification; effectively regulate sustainable harvesting, and end overfishing; conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas; prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies; and increase the economic benefits to SIDS and LDCs from the sustainable use of marine resources and tourism (an unclear target). The methods for addressing all these targets are also suugested to increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacities and transfer marine technology; provide access of small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets; and to ensure the full implementation of international law.

            The following questions and remarks highlight some important aspects with regards to achieving the SDG14 in light of the above directives in local as well as global contexts. 

How does achieving SDG14 stand in Bangladesh context?

All the target areas of SDGs14 as stated in the Endnote  are linked to human activities in terms of (over)consumption i.e.  the consumption that affects the balance of other essential components of nature (Tashi, 2011); overproduction i.e. production through exploiting finite renewable resources such as soil nutrients, fresh and marine water resources, and biodiversity beyond their carrying or regenerative capacity (Kanninen, 2013); and polluting waters of oceans, seas and inland water bodies. Those human interventions clearly affect marine resources negatively. The interventions are also utter impediments to sustainable development. Thus, to practice sustainable development the consumers and producers are required to follow a model of lifestyle that is conducive to minimal use of resources in terms of waste and pollution neutral consumption, and need based production.

In view of our action research demo projects in Bangladesh for achieving SDGs, we see that the rural folks of Bangladesh traditionally observe their lifestyle culture reflecting sustainability spirituality and practices as guided by the Scriptures, and practiced by all the greatest humanity including Mahatma Gandhi, in the one hand; and the application of pollution neutral biosystems or/and bio-friendly human innovated technological systems, on the other (Hossain and Marinova, 2009; Marinova et al., 2006).

The more we study and ponder how to achieve the above mode of lifestyle culture to achieving SDGs globally, the more we learn and observe that Bangladeshi people innately inherit a deep-rooted sustainable consumption and production culture and artisanal systems of underpinning conservation of natural resources.  Their vegetable intensive ‘flexitarian food spirituality and happiness’ (Hossain, 2016) in traditional consumption culture integrate all that are required to achieve SDG14: conservation of ‘life below water’.        

However, in order to achieve SDG14 the other SDGs such as SDG9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation, and SDG12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns are intrinsically linked to complement achieving SDG14. In fact, if the SDG9 and SDG12 are addressed appropriately, SDG14 could be achieved consequentially.

What the UN is expecting through achieving SDG14?

            The SDG14 asks the global users of the oceans and seas to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” through the UN adopted definition of sustainable development: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). In the context of SDG14 this definition strongly requires all humans, especially the marine resource hunters, to hunt the present “stock of marine resources” only to meet the modest need of the present generation in a replenishable way so that the future generations are not deprived of meeting their own needs of the same. But, in reality,  the present exploitation is largely to meet the greed instead of need which is unsustainable, for Gandhi reveals: “Earth has enough to meet everyone's need, but not everyone's greed” (Misra, 2007).

Findings reveal that “In 1961, the human demand for resources was 70% of earth’s ability to regenerate. By the 1980s it was equal to the annual supply of resources, and since the 1990s, it has exceeded the earth’s capacity by 20%: now humanity is eating the Earth’ natural capital” (Appleton, 2014).

What are the marine resources?

The marine resources include the diversity of species, fish and seafood supplies, oil and gas, minerals, sand and gravel, renewable energy resources, marine tourism potential, and unique ecosystems like coral reefs.[iii]

Why marine resources need to be conserved for sustainable development?

            Firstly, our planet is largely covered by ocean, our survival depends on the ocean, and our capability to thrive sustainable development in the future for future generations will depend on a healthy ocean ecosyem. Secondly, we are inherently the stewards of the world’s ocean, and it is our moral duty to pass on to a healthy ocean to future generations and to ensure that ocean benefits can be enjoyed by humanity as a whole in an equitable manner. Finally, we need to conserve ocean ecosystems, for the ocean is essential to life and well-being. We need blue carbon to store CO2 emissions. “We need blue economies to benefit from the enormous and diverse opportunities offered by the marine environment – from tourism, transportation, fishing and recreation, to communication, scientific research, as well as the commercial application of scientific findings in health and industry. We need the ocean also to support peaceful exchanges between countries which share transboundary waters and resources, and a basis for scientific cooperation and global trade” (Arico, 2015).

In addition to the above, we need to conserve marine resources as they are sharply depleting, in many cases vanished and vanishing, because of over harvest and pervasive pollution. It is estimated that many resources including fish will be at 10 percent of its highest known numbers -- by 2048.[iv]  So, the depleting marine resources must be replenished and conserved for underpinning sustainable development that requires to meet the basic need for food of the present generation as well as to meet the needs of the future generations. That means all the marine resources are universally required to meet human needs for all times. It is notable that 16% of world animal protein consumption by humans comes from fish. Thus, healthy oceans, coasts and freshwater ecosystems are crucial for economic growth and food production. They are also fundamental to global efforts to mitigate climate change. So, they must be conserved for sustainable development.[v]

What are the major elements of marine pollution?

Plastic waste are the most prominent pollutants of all water bodies. Other common man-made pollutants include pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, detergents, oil, sewage and other solids. According to the US National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration (NOAA), 80 percent of pollution to the marine environment worldwide emanates from land-based sources, such as runoff. Soil itself can be a pollutant when it is dumped in large quantities into waterways. Topsoil or silt from fields, construction sites, or cleared forests can degrade or destroy aquatic wildlife habitats.

Much of the pollution comes from large industrial sources—such as farms, factories and forests for timber. Various small sources also contribute cumulatively in big ways to marine pollution as well. Millions of motor vehicle engines make daily, one-drop-at-a-time “oil spills” onto roads and parking lots, which add significantly to runoff pollution. Solid debris can float or sink depending on its physical characteristics. All can be problematic for marine life. Debris that sinks can have huge impacts on sensitive ocean floor communities, destroying coral and entangling wildlife. Discarded fishing nets drift for years, ensnaring fish and mammals, leading to exhaustion, starvation, and slow death.[vi]  A study published in 2016 reported that, if present rates continue, by 2050 there will be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fish -by weight (Chasek et al.,  2017).

How are marine resources being affected now by plastic waste alone?

The innumerable items of plastic waste are choking our oceans, lakes, and rivers and piling up on land is devastating to plants and wildlife. The following facts shed light on how plastic is proving dangerous to our planet, health, and wildlife.

• About 8 million metric tons of plastic are thrown into the ocean annually.
• There are five massive patches of plastic in the oceans around the world. These huge concentrations of plastic debris cover large swaths of the ocean; the one between California and Hawaii is the size of the state of Texas.
• Every minute, one garbage truck of plastic is dumped into our oceans.
• By 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish (by weight).
• Plastic is found in the ocean as far as 11km deep, meaning synthetic fibers have contaminated even the most remote places on Earth.
• 7 Many marine organisms can’t distinguish common plastic items from food. Animals who eat plastic often starve because they can’t digest the plastic and it fills their stomachs, preventing them from eating real food.
• The likelihood of coral becoming diseased increases from 4% to 89% after coming in contact with marine plastic. It also damages the skin of coral, allowing infection[9]. Coral reefs are home to more than 25% of marine life.
• There is more plastic than natural prey at the sea surface of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which means that organisms feeding at this area are likely to have plastic as a major component of their diets. For instance, sea turtles by-caught in fisheries operating within and around the patch can have up to 74% (by dry weight) of their diets composed of ocean plastics.
• 10 Many fish humans consume, including brown trout, cisco, and perch, have at one time or another, ingested plastic microfibers.[vii]

How many marine creatures die from plastic?

100,000 marine creatures a year die from plastic entanglement. Approximately 1 million sea birds also die from plastic. A plastic bag can kill numerous animals because they take so long to disintegrate.[viii]

Why the UN stresses to “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”?

            Because marine pollution of all kinds is taking place. Resultantly, marine and coastal ecosystems are degrading; ocean acidification is on the increase; unregulated harvesting is resulting overfishing; and coastal and marine areas are shrinking.  In a snapshot of the global situation in terms of the 600 marine fish stocks monitored by FAO appears as follows:

3% are underexploited

20% are moderately exploited

52% are fully exploited

17% are overexploited

7% are depleted

1% are recovering from depletion.[ix]

Which countries catch most fish and pollute marine waters?

            The top 10 fishing countries in 1999 are listed below. Bangladesh stands at 46th country.

What is the trend of marine fish production?

Total world fish production increased steadily from 19.3 million tonnes in 1950 to more than 100 million tonnes in 1989 and 134 million tonnes in 2002. After reaching about 80 million tonnes in the late-1980s, global marine catches fluctuated between 77 and 86 million tonnes, with a record high of 86.7 million tonnes in 2000 and a slight decline to 84.4 million tonnes in 2002. However, fish production worldwide came to approximately 174 million metric tons in 2017.[x]

What are the main human actions to be undertaken for conservation?

            Two main steps are to be undertaken: to practice sustainable harvest of marine resources, on the one hand; and to keep ocean, seas and other water bodies free from dumping of waste including soils, especially plastic and other synthetic products that are not biodegradable; and agricultural chemicals, fossil fuels and industrial effluents which negatively impact on the sustainability of marine ecosystem health.

How can we protect marine life?

10 Things we can do to save the ocean

1. Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy Consumption. ...
2. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices. ...
3. Use Fewer Plastic Products. ...
4. Help Take Care of the Beach. ...
5. Don't Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life. ...
6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner. ...
7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean. ...
8. Influence Change in Your Community.
9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly
10. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine Life.[xi]

What is wrong with countries that overfish?

            The people of the industrially developed countries lack the sense of place and patriotism, and the sense of sustainable development and sustainability.

 Why they are not rightly sensible?

            Their religious beliefs, moral values and practices, values education for sustainable development, sense of social civility and culture of wisdom are too far to be rightly sensible.

How to retreat the marine mischief-makers?

            The most promising way to move back marine resource destroyers is to implement the SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation and SDG: 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns).

In order to accomplish the SDG9, Westra et al.  observe that SDG9 can be achieved by supporting every country’s traditional domestic technology  for gathering fish. This is because despite of unparalleled technological progress the destruction of nature have increased (1995, 2008). This notion suggests that the current science and technology that are devoid of sustainability values fail to demonstrate that they can solve problems of natural resource degradation i.e. sustainability keeping of marine resources. On the other hand, the Western capitalism that increasingly generates greed for profiteering through creating superfluous consumption and production needs is required to be substantially curtailed as required by SDG12. Revitalization of the traditional consumption and production patterns is imperative for achieving Goal12.  The guidelines regarding the patterns exist in the relevant  folklore, proverbs, wisdom, religio-spiritual dos and don’ts, and in the definition of sustainable development that suggest humanity to mind consumption and production patters so future generations are not deprived.

How is achieving SDG14 linked to riverine Bangladesh?

Bangladesh has sea as well as inland waterbody system. In terms of marine pollution, the Bay of Bengal including the Mangrove Sundabans is polluted by the activities in Chittagong sea port and Mongla seaport. Fishing boats also pollute both sea and inland water bodies with dumping of waste - including plastic, polythene, ship and boat waste including oil spill, and chemical and other nutrient run off from agriculture, industries and household waste. 

What are the impacts of water pollution in Bangladesh?

Fahima Binte Amin[xii] finds that water pollution is exceeding the limit in most of the water sources, and has become a great threat to the survival of aquatic species. The rivers of Bangladesh are the worse victim of pollution, especially the rivers which stands in the neighborhood of the Dhaka city and other cities and townships across the country are being polluted tremendously. The major causes include:

1. Rapid and unplanned urbanization and industrialization, brickfield development, Dying factories, tanneries, Grabbing up the river.
   2. Untreated wastes are thrown into the river as most of the industries have no Effluent Treatment Plant.
   3. Oil spills of boats and different water vessel.
   4. Using agrochemicals in agricultural land.

1. Ship breaking activities near by the coast also worsen the condition.
2. Accidental or deliberate, operational discharges and spills of oil from ships, especially tankers, offshore platforms and pipelines, are the most obvious and visible causes of oil pollution of the marine environment.
3. Non recyclable wastes that are dumped in the seawater from the nearby sources.
4. Due to the continued high level of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere, seawater chemistry is changing which is causing it to be more acidic. This phenomenon termed as “Ocean Acidification”.

What is ocean acidification?

Ocean acidification is often expressed in terms of the pH of seawater.  pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. A pH below 7 is considered acidic, and a pH greater than 7 is considered alkaline, or basic. Average ocean water pH is currently 8.1.  The pH scale is logarithmic, so a one point change on the scale means a tenfold change in concentration.[xiii] Ocean acidification also refers to a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The five most vulnerable countries to ocean acidification are – Japan ranking first in the analysis, followed by France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Australia. Among the 187 countries ranked, China and the United States, the world’s top CO2 emitters, rank 13th and 8th respectively, while the rank of Bangladesh is 65. [xiv]

Concluding remarks

            It is clear that Fisheries play three major roles in global sustainability: fish stocks act as integral parts of global ocean ecosystems; seafood serves as a critical resource for food security, especially in developing countries; and finally, fisheries provide important employment and income in many nations. Global fisheries provide a foundation for food security, employment, and income, and are tied to the health of the world’s oceans in a changing climate. Fisheries are therefore an intrinsic part of several Sustainable Development Goals including Goal 1: End Poverty; and Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition; Goal 17: Revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. A variety of international institutions and agreements govern global fisheries and set standards for domestic fisheries management.    

A recent study[xv] reveals that global fish stocks and marine ecosystems face severe threats. In     Bangladesh per capita fish consumption has fallen significantly and the price of fish has risen beyond the affordability of most people in Bangladesh. This has started due to rising water crisis caused by the Green Revolution and the Farakka Barrage since the 1970s . Unsustainable harvesting and marketing practices on fish resource are also utterly responsible for this. This suggests that fisheries sector of Bangladesh face several challenges such as over-fishing and fisheries resources degradation. A number of factor are responsible for fisheries resources degradation which includes construction of roads and embankments, together with drainage, flood control and natural siltation, the use of pesticides and fertilizers, pollution, upstream damming in major river systems (Islam, 2012).

A retreat from the extant practices on harvesting fish eggs, fingerlings and mother fish; and also exporting them without meeting local needs, is crucial. Finally, the Bangladesh fisheries have ample scope of development to strengthen the national economy. To realize the potential, there is a need to modify the existing policy framework for integrated resource management and for conservation of the fisheries resources. Bangladeshi fishers, fish farmers, traders, processors, and general people as a whole need to understand these issues to benefit from the whole process. Concerned government departments, development partners, researchers and non-government organizations can play an important role in this regard.

(to be continued)

References

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Hossain, Amzad. 2016. “Sustainable Food Consumption: A Mission Almost Impossible because of the West.” In Impact of Meat Consumption on Health and Environmental Sustainability, edited by Talia Raphaely and Dora Marinova, 255-263. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

Hossain, A., Marinova, D. (2009) Biosystems management: Muslim/Hindu applications in Bangladesh, Man in India, 89(4): 557–566

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Misra, R.P. (2007) Hind Swaraj: Gandhi’s Challenge to Modern Civilisation, Volume 1, Concept Publishing, New Delhi

Tashi, Khenpo Phuntsok, 2011 Invoking Happiness – Guide to the sacred festivals of Bhutan & Gross National Happiness. Publisher (missing). Copyright : Khenpo Phuntsok Tashi. Bhutan.

Westera, Laura and Lemons, John. (1995)   Persectives on Ecological Integrity. London:  Kluwer Academic Publishers.

World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED, 1987). Our common future, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

Westra, Laura; Bosselmann, Klaus; and Westra, Richard. 2008. Reconciling Human Existence with Ecological Integrity. Earthscan,USA.

Endnotes