Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) and Japan's Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) would play a vital role in conserving the ocean and protecting marine fisheries.
He made the remarks after witnessing the signing ceremony at the State Guest House Jamuna, according to the Chief Adviser's Press Wing.
The MoU was signed by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of MIDA, and Professor Mitsutaku Makino, President of the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI) of SPF, to strengthen cooperation in fisheries and marine affairs in support of a sustainable blue economy. The agreement will be formally endorsed by SPF President Dr Atsushi Sunami in the coming weeks.
Dr Emadul Islam, Senior Research Fellow at OPRI, and Commodore Tanzim Faruq, Member of MIDA, were also present at the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Yunus underscored the urgency of ocean conservation. "Our ocean is a major asset, yet it is increasingly polluted. Plastic waste has now been detected several thousand metres deep in the sea. This MoU will help us protect our oceans and keep them clean," he said.
Highlighting the importance of the partnership, the Chief Adviser said marine resources must be safeguarded for future generations. "The Sasakawa Peace Foundation is globally respected for its marine research. We are delighted to have them involved in our research initiatives. The Marine Science Institute of Chittagong University will remain connected with the foundation, and this research collaboration will expand gradually," he added.
He further noted that under the MoU, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation would support MIDA in developing three villages in Maheshkhali as model fishing villages in line with the Umigyo concept.
As the Interim Government's designated agency for coastal development and strategic infrastructure in Maheshkhali and beyond, MIDA will partner with SPF to advance national priorities in fisheries and marine affairs-priorities shaped by more than 20 ministries, departments, and agencies.
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation is one of the world's largest independent philanthropic institutions, with a longstanding commitment to maritime policy, disaster risk reduction, and inclusive development across the Indo-Pacific region.
Under the agreement, MIDA and SPF will collaborate on feasibility studies to adapt Japan's blue economy models to Bangladesh, covering mariculture, fisheries, post-harvest management, seafood processing, and the welfare of fishing communities.
The partnership will also focus on Umigyo-marine industry-based community development-by providing guidance on integrated coastal livelihoods, safety at sea, community-based marine resource management, sustainable local economic growth, and two-way communication systems between fishing communities and the government.
Baseline studies on fisheries resources and coastal tourism potential will be conducted, alongside infrastructure development initiatives such as jetties, automated fish landing facilities, cold-chain and transport logistics, seafood processing plants, and market-chain development.
In addition, training programmes will be launched on deep-sea fishing operations, seafood handling and preservation, mariculture, technology transfer for value-added products and by-product utilisation, export diversification, investment facilitation, disaster management, safety at sea, quality control, hygiene, working conditions, and labour standards.
