Potential Role of Aquaculture in Advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global framework for achieving economic, social, and environmental sustainability by 2030. Despite Bangladesh being one of the leading aquaculture-producing countries, no comprehensive study has examined the contributions of aquaculture to achieving the SDGs. This comprehensive review-based study demonstrates that aquaculture in Bangladesh contributes to nearly all SDGs through direct, indirect, related, and associated pathways. In 2022–2023, Bangladesh produced 4.9 million MT of fish, with aquaculture accounting for 58.03% of total production. Aquaculture production strengthens food security (SDG 2) and health (SDG 3) by providing nutrient-rich fish, particularly small indigenous species (SIS), which supply essential micronutrients. Through income generated from aquaculture farming in rural areas, farmers significantly improved infrastructure for drinking water and sanitation facilities (SDG 6) and reduced dependance on polluted water sources. The sector also fosters decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) by creating employment opportunities across production, processing and trade, reducing poverty (SDG 1), and economic inequality (SDG 10). Environmentally, aquaculture contributes to climate action (SDG 13) by adopting low-carbon farming techniques, such as pond fish-vegetable, integrated rice-fish, and rice-fish-vegetable farming. It protects life below water (SDG 14) by reducing overfishing and conserving marine biodiversity, while promoting responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) through sustainable feed innovations and waste management. Additionally, aquaculture enhances sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) by ensuring a stable fish supply for urban populations and supporting rooftop and peri-urban aquaponics. It also strengthens peace and partnerships (SDG 16 and 17) to an extent by fostering collaboration among government bodies, private enterprises, and research institutions. Future research should prioritize climate-resilient fish farming, cost-effective aquaculture, and AI monitoring while strengthening value chains, export access, governance, public–private partnerships, and renewable energy to ensure sustainable aquaculture growth and broader SDG achievement.