Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhter emphasized the need for responsible harvesting, technological innovation, science-based policymaking, and effective governance to ensure sustainable marine development. Speaking at the second day of the international conference ‘Marine Fisheries and Blue Innovations: Safeguarding Ocean Harmony’ in Chattogram, she said that identifying the blue economy as a national priority has created opportunities for a sustainable ocean future through coordination among science, policy, and community development. Farida highlighted alarming declines in small pelagic fish stocks—down 78.6% in seven years—and the rise of jellyfish due to reduced predator fish, signaling ecological imbalance in the Bay of Bengal. She also warned that the hilsa fish, a national and global heritage species, faces serious threats. Farida called for regional and global cooperation to combat climate change and illegal fishing, and urged that research findings by Bangladeshi scientists be prioritized in policymaking for ecosystem protection and climate-resilient fisheries management.