Chittagong: As part of Bangladesh Navy's annual sea exercise 'Exercise Safe Guard-2024', a seminar entitled 'Maritime Domain Awareness-2024' was held in Chittagong and Khulna naval areas today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the seminars were conducted at the Area Multipurpose Hall in Chattogram and at BNS Titumir in Khulna, as announced by the Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The main objective of the events was to enhance mutual cooperation among organizations and users of marine resources. Regional Commander of Chattogram Naval Region Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali and Regional Commander of Khulna Naval Region Rear Admiral Golam Sadek graced the seminars as chief guests.
In Chattogram, the discussions revolved around the safe commercial expansion in the sea, the use of marine mineral resources for energy security, the sound management of fisheries resources, the navigation crisis of inland waterways and strategies to address it, the development of an environment-friendly maritime industry, and the protection of the environment and biodiversity.
Meanwhile, the Khulna seminar included a brief discussion on topics such as 'Capacity Building of Mongla Port Authority', 'Navigability crisis of inland waterways and ways to overcome it', 'Sustainable shipbuilding process and environment-friendly marine industry development', and 'Marine biodiversity conservation and pollution prevention strategies in inland water bodies'. It also touched on ensuring alternative employment for fishermen during fishing restrictions.
The maritime experts emphasized the need for an integrated action plan to develop the blue economy, as highlighted by ISPR. The seminars were attended by representatives from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force, ports authority, Bangladesh Coast Guard, BIWTA, Bangladesh Technological University, Chittagong University, Marine Fisheries Academy, Bangladesh Shipping Corporation, Chittagong Custom's House, Mongla Customs House BNCC, Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh Oceanography Research Institute (BORI), and Department of Environment, among others.