Economic and Environmental Impacts of Maritime Pollution on Bangladesh’s Blue Economy: Policy Implications for Sustainable Development

Maritime pollution poses a critical threat to Bangladesh’s blue economy, significantly impacting marine fisheries, maritime tourism and transport sectors that are essential for sustainable development. This research analyzes the economic and environmental impacts of maritime pollution on Bangladesh’s blue economy and proposes policy implications for sustainable maritime development. This research employs a qualitative methodology using secondary data from government reports, surveys and academic literature to provide comprehensive insights into pollution-related challenges. Key findings reveal substantial economic losses across maritime sectors, including 17.75% post-harvest losses in fisheries, reduced tourism revenues in coastal areas like Cox’s Bazar and the Sundarbans, and increased operational costs for maritime transport. The research identifies industrial discharge (60%), plastic waste and oil spills as primary pollution sources, with pollution hotspots concentrated in Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna regions. The analysis exposes critical inadequacies in existing legislation, particularly the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones (Amendment) Act, 2021 and the Marine Fisheries Act, 2020, which lack comprehensive environmental sustainability frameworks. The research concludes that current regulatory mechanisms are insufficient to address maritime pollution’s multifaceted impacts on Bangladesh’s blue economy potential. Key recommendations include establishing a centralized Maritime Pollution Control Authority (MPCA), modernizing environmental protection legislation, implementing the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) and promoting green shipping practices and eco-tourism initiatives to ensure sustainable maritime development aligned with SDG objectives.