Bangladesh’s aquaculture industry has incurred a substantial loss of $140 million over the past decade due to the impacts of climate change, according to a recent analysis. The study, published in Climate Risk Management, emphasizes the urgent need for improved climate data services to address the vulnerabilities of the sector.
The research reveals that Bangladesh is highly susceptible to increasing extreme weather events, posing a significant threat to its aquaculture industry. Effective climate information services are identified as a crucial approach to reducing climate risks, enabling fish farmers to make informed decisions and enhance production management processes.
Aquaculture and fisheries contribute nearly 26 percent to Bangladesh’s agricultural gross domestic product, but fish farmers in the country face growing challenges from climate change-induced extreme weather events. The lack of specific climate data for aquaculture, including unpredictable rainfall, heatwaves, and cold spells, hampers the assessment and implementation of effective climate risk management strategies.
The study highlights flooding as the most financially detrimental and frequently occurring hazard for aquaculture, leading to a loss of approximately 54,000 tons of production valued at $93 million between 2011 and 2020. Cyclones rank as the second most harmful, causing a loss of 12,000 tons of fish products valued at $24.8 million.
Despite the significant impact of climate change on the aquaculture sector, the analysis indicates a slow adoption of climate services for aquaculture in global South countries. The delay is attributed to a lack of awareness about the economic benefits of these services and historical focuses on crop-related tools. However, the study underscores the valuable role that climate services can play in providing essential data for decision-making related to adaptation, risk mitigation, and uncertainty management in aquaculture.
