Floating rafts have opened up new opportunities for green mussel and high-value coral fish farming in Cox’s Bazar, offering coastal communities an alternative source of income while creating fresh prospects for the country’s blue economy.
An experimental farm has been established near the mouth of the Bakkhali River in Sadar upazila of Cox’s Bazar, where local farmers are cultivating green mussels and coral fish using simple and environment-friendly technology.
The floating structures are made of bamboo, ropes and plastic drums. Mussel seeds are suspended beneath the rafts, allowing them to grow naturally in saline water. The mussels benefit from tidal flows and favorable coastal conditions, requiring little additional technology.
Project officials said mussels generally become suitable for harvesting within a few months. With demand for nutritious marine food increasing in Bangladesh, they believe commercial-scale production could meet domestic demand and eventually create opportunities for exports.
At the same time, high-value coral fish are being raised in large net cages attached to floating rafts. Fish fry is released into the cages and reared with regular feeding and care until they reach marketable size.
As coral fish fetch relatively high prices in local markets, farmers see considerable potential for generating profits from the venture.
Anwar Mia, a green mussel farmer, said he began cultivating green mussels on floating rafts in 2018 and has since been making profits from the initiative. “Floating mussel farming has been successful and has created an additional source of income alongside fishing,” he said.
He said such farms could become particularly important during periods when fishermen are unable to go to sea because of bad weather or seasonal fishing bans.
Another farmer, Shahidul Islam Babu, said fishing had previously been their main source of income. “When bad weather struck or fishing was banned, our income stopped. Now we are earning regularly by farming mussels and coral fish on floating rafts,” he said.
“With proper training and government support, this farming can be expanded on a larger scale,” he added.
Local farmer Mong Chen said he was initially hesitant about adopting the new technology but gained confidence after receiving training and technical assistance from the Integrated Development Foundation (IDF).
“The market price is good, and our family’s financial condition has improved. If farmers receive loans on easier terms and support with marketing, many more entrepreneurs will become interested in this sector,” he said.
The project is funded by Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) and implemented by Integrated Development Foundation (IDF). It provides local farmers with training, technical assistance and capacity-building support on modern marine aquaculture techniques.
Mohammad Hasan, an IDF fisheries officer, said the prospects for green mussel and marine fish farming on floating rafts in Bangladesh were very promising. “Coastal areas have abundant saline water and favorable environmental conditions, allowing the sector to expand rapidly,” he said.
Hasan said coordinated support from the government, research institutions and private organisations could turn floating aquaculture into a profitable and sustainable livelihood for coastal communities.
He said the initiative could also contribute to Bangladesh’s blue economy by making better use of the country’s extensive coastline and marine resources. “It can contribute to food security, create employment and generate foreign exchange,” he said.