22/01/2022
Thanks to a partnership between the Government of Bangladesh, local communities and NGOs, a newly established Marine Protected Area (MPA) around Saint Martinâs Island will protect an incredible community of biodiversity and provide key habitat for Bangladeshâs only coral reef. This newly declared marine protected area spans 672 square miles on Bangladeshâs southernmost tip. The tropical waters are home to the countryâs only corals, as well as pods of elusive Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and endangered whale sharks, now sheltered by the regionâs newest protected area.
Next steps will be to develop a science-based, community-informed management plan, raise awareness about regulations in the MPA, build capacity for conducting government and community-led enforcement and monitoring patrols, controlling domestic waste, and beginning to restore degraded corals.
Congratulations to the Government of Bangladesh, Wildlife Conservation Society, with support from Re:wild, the local communities and NGOs on this important accomplishment.
(Photo: Courtesy of WCS)
