Among the countries in Asia, a continent known for its major contribution to global fish production, Bangladesh is one of the lead fish producers. Most of the fish in the country comes from small-scale capture and culture fisheries. Millions of people are involved in small-scale fisheries and make an immense contribution to food and nutritional security, employment, income, and poverty alleviation.

Considering the importance of small-scale fisheries and their contribution, Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Global: Global Partnership for Small-Scale Fisheries Research has launched its latest hub in Bangladesh, coordinated by Dr. Mahmudul Islam and headquartered at the Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU). According to Scimago Institutions Rankings, the Faculty of Fisheries of SAU ranks first among the universities in Bangladesh; the university also holds the first rank under the 'Innovation' category and overall fifth among the universities in Bangladesh.

The new hub called 'TBTI Bangladesh Research Network' was officially launched on March 15, 2023 at the SAU. The event, chaired by Dr. Mrityunjoy Kunda, Dean, Faculty of Fisheries, brought together about 60 participants, including faculty members, students, researchers, NGOs representatives, journalists, and fishing people. Dr. Mahmudul Islam, coordinator of the TBTI Bangladesh Research Network, moderated the event. Special guest included Dr. Ratana Chuenpagdee, TBTI Global Director and Dr. Md. Jamal Uddin Bhuiyan, honourable Vice-Chancellor, SAU. 

During the inaugural event, TBTI Bangladesh launched the e-book entitled ‘Small in Scale Big in Contributions: Advancing Knowledge in Small-Scale Fisheries in Bangladesh'. This comprehensive volume, edited by Dr. Mahmudul Islam, contains 37 chapters with contributions from 86 authors from across the country (see the map).

The book is a comprehensive guide for small-scale fisheries in Bangladesh for those interested in learning more about this vital sector. It provides an overview of the importance of small-scale fisheries, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they offer. This edited volume includes contributions from academics, researchers, NGO representatives, and practitioners who have a stake in Bangladesh's small-scale fisheries. Three early career researchers who contributed to the book presented their chapters at the beginning of the event.

The participants were greatly appreciative of TBTI Global for its initiative to produce such a comprehensive overview of the the small-scale fisheries in Bangladesh and offer it in the e-format so that can be easily shared among the SSF community.

Check out the recording of the event to watch the highlights from the launch of the TBTI Bangladesh.