Call to reduce fossil fuel dependence to protect fisheries

Lawmakers, fisheries experts and environmental activists have called for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and expanding renewable energy use to protect fisheries resources, aquatic biodiversity and coastal livelihoods.

They also stressed the need to assess the environmental impacts of fossil-fuel-based power plants on fish sanctuaries and breeding grounds and promote solar and other renewable energy technologies across the fisheries sector.

The call came at a discussion titled “Renewables Now to Protect Fisheries” at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Thursday.

The event was organised under the “Renewables Now” campaign by Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA), Dream Research and Development Foundation (DRDF), Sundarban and Coastal Protection Movement and 34 other civil society and social organisations.

Nikhil Chandra Bhadra, coordinator of the Sundarban and Coastal Protection Movement, chaired the discussion.

Engineer Md Ashraf Uddin Bokul, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Defence, attended as the chief guest, while Bithika Binte Hossain, MP, was the special guest. DHORA member Iqbal Faruk delivered the welcome address.

Speakers included Dr Md Anisur Rahman, former chief scientific officer of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute; Mostafa Kamal Majumdar, president of the Bangladesh Environment Journalists Forum; Abdul Qayum, former district fisheries officer; and Rafiqul Islam Azad, former president of the Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Iqbal Faruk said ash, heated water and pollutants from coal-fired power plants are entering rivers and disrupting the growth and survival of fish, while heavy metals are also accumulating in fish.

“To protect fisheries resources, we must move away from fossil fuels, phase out coal-fired power plants and install solar power facilities on their existing sites,” he said.

Mir Mohammad Ali, president of DRDF and an assistant professor at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, said excessive dependence on fossil fuels was creating risks for fisheries resources.

Fly ash and heated water from coal-fired power plants contribute to river pollution, reduce dissolved oxygen levels and harm fish, he said, calling for a rapid transition to renewable energy and a planned phase-out of coal-fired power plants.

Ashraf Uddin Bokul said exemptions from duties and VAT had been provided for importing renewable energy equipment to help meet at least 20% of national electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030.

He said rooftop solar and solar irrigation were being encouraged, while initiatives were underway to allocate government-owned land for renewable energy projects and develop battery storage facilities.

Bithika Binte Hossain said tackling the impacts of climate change required collective efforts alongside the expansion of renewable energy.

She stressed the need for public cooperation in implementing government plans and called on young people to play an active role in the efforts.

Nikhil Chandra Bhadra said the discussion should lead to collective action involving the government, experts, fishers, civil society and citizens to promote renewable energy and protect fisheries resources and the environment.

Veteran journalist Mostafa Kamal Majumdar said efforts to expand renewable energy had been continuing for years and called for a specific action plan to implement measures already taken.

He also suggested establishing a Solar Energy Corporation, similar to institutions in developed countries, if necessary.

Dr Md Anisur Rahman said even small changes in water temperature, pollution levels, dissolved oxygen, pH and other water-quality parameters could significantly harm hilsa and other fish species.

Such changes could disrupt aquatic ecosystems and food chains, he said, stressing that strong action on renewable energy must be accompanied by effective implementation of existing recommendations.

The discussion ended with a call for immediate and coordinated action to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and protect Bangladesh’s fisheries, aquatic ecosystems and coastal livelihoods.