Ocean and Coastal Management xxx (xxxx) xxx Please cite this article as: Shawkat Alam, Ocean and Coastal Management, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105424 0964-5691/© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Challenges and opportunities in artisanal fsheries (Sonadia Island, Bangladesh): The role of legislative, policy and institutional frameworks Shawkat Alam * , Mizanur Rahman, Abdullah Al Arif 1. Introduction Artisanal fshers usually live in coastal communities and harvest fsh for their livelihoods using traditional techniques and equipment. They rely on knowledge passed down through generations within their local communities (Rahman, 2017). According to the Marine Fisheries Sector Sub-Strategy 2006, artisanal fshers are those that fsh near the shore and largely depend upon a catch for their consumption. Artisanal fshing also refers to a particular method and technique applied to catch fsh. It generally includes simple traditional methods such as the use of simple traps and traditional boats and equipment (Batista et al., 2014). The terms artisanal fshing and small-scale fshing are not always inter- changeable. Whereas artisanal fshing involves a degree of simplicity or tradition, small-scale fshing refers to the size and scope of the fshing activity (Batista at el. 2014). Some argue that artisanal fshing is a form of subsistence fshing which provides food directly to the concerned family or community (Akhtar et al., 2017), requiring minimum capital and simple technology or traditional techniques that are acquired and maintained through generations. Others maintain that artisanal fshing is different from subsistence fshing as there is a commercial element attached to artisanal fshing, although both fall into the category of small-scale fshing (Ullah et al., 2014). Nevertheless, some defnitions include both type and scale elements, therefore strict differentiation between artisanal and small-scale fshing is not necessary (FAO, 2016). Also, fsheries related policy instruments in Bangladesh use the terms ‘artisanal’ and ‘small-scale’ interchangeably and without distinction. If economic conditions permitted, many artisanal fshers would use advanced technology for fshing. Their approach now includes adopting the latest technology available to them such as mobile phones to in- crease their fshing capacity and reduce risk (Salia et al., 2011; Sree- kumar, 2011). As the methods and techniques of fshing utilised by artisanal fshers differ from industrial or large-scale fshing, the species of fsh and the characteristics of those fsh harvested by the artisanal fshers differ from the fsh caught by commercial fshers. Generally, artisanal fshers catch a diverse range of fsh species, but most of the catches are of small adult fsh (Batista et al., 2014). In Bangladesh, artisanal fshers harvest fsh within a 40-m depth from the sea surface (Akhtar et al., 2017). Bangladesh has a vast maritime area which inhabits an estimated 475 marine species (Billah et al., 2018). The marine fsheries sector forms a vital component of socio-economic support for its people (Al Arif, 2017). This sector employs more than 17 million workers (full-time and part-time), representing approximately 11% of the country’s total population (DoF, 2016). Given these circumstances, Bangladesh has become a self-suffcient country for fsh production. The fsheries sector is experiencing one of the highest growth rates, contributing to approximately 3.6% of total export earnings, and 4.39% of the national GDP. Marine fsheries constitute 20–24% of total fsh production in Bangladesh, with artisanal fshing accounting for 38% of total marine fsh production (DoF, 2017). Accordingly, marine fsheries play an important role in improving the trajectory of socio-economic conditions by contributing to food security, poverty alleviation, job creation and foreign currency earning (Billah et al., 2018). However, marine re- sources within the oceanic waters of Bangladesh are reportedly being overexploited (Al Arif, 2017). Furthermore, the importance of marine fsheries and the role of artisanal fshers is strongly emphasised at the international level, being explicitly referred to in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 14 emphasizes the need for the sus- tainable use of marine resources for sustainable development with specifc reference to artisanal fshers. Most targets within SDG 14 cal l for specifc action to regulate harvesting, cease over-fshing and provide small-scale artisanal fshers with access to resources and markets. These factors require adequate attention and need to be addressed promptly, as this sector, which is indispensable to the Bangladesh economy and the livelihoods of a large number of citizens, is also vulnerable to the effects of climate change, habitat destruction and other anthropogenic impacts (Jackson et al., 2001; Diaz and Rosenberg, 2008; Halpern et al., 2008; Rahman & Vacik, 2014, 2015, 2016; Rahman, 2020). Bangladesh accepted the “leaving no one behind” aspiration in achieving SDGs and committed to addressing the challenges faced by the ‘left behind group’ (VNR, 2020). Artisanal fshers are considered to be among the most vulnerable people in the fsheries sector; therefore, unless they are afforded appropriate protection within the legal and institutional framework, this vulnerable group will potentially be ‘left behind’. This is * Corresponding author. E-mail address: shawkat.alam@mq.edu.au (S. Alam). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Ocean and Coastal Management journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ocecoaman https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105424 Received 24 April 2020; Received in revised form 6 October 2020; Accepted 18 October 2020