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Bangladesh Coast & Marine Territory

Marine Life Alliance (MLA) works across the full breadth of Bangladesh’s coastline and marine territory—one of the most ecologically rich yet highly threatened regions of the Bay of Bengal. Stretching more than 710 kilometers from the Sundarbans mangrove delta in the west to St. Martin’s Island in the southeast, Bangladesh’s coast supports globally significant species, vital fisheries, unique island ecosystems, and millions of people whose livelihoods are directly linked to the sea. Our work spans this entire landscape, integrating research, conservation, community engagement, and climate resilience to protect both nature and the coastal communities who depend on it.

Bangladesh’s marine and coastal zone includes sandy beaches, coral communities, mudflats, mangroves, estuaries, sea grass beds, offshore waters, and deep channels that host a wide range of marine megafauna. From the vast river mouths of the Western Delta to the high-biodiversity hotspots of Cox’s Bazar, Sonadia, and St. Martin’s Island, these ecosystems provide nesting grounds for sea turtles, feeding grounds for cetaceans and whale sharks, migration corridors for waterbirds, and essential habitats for marine fish and invertebrates. MLA’s efforts focus on protecting these interconnected habitats holistically, addressing threats, supporting local stewardship, and generating scientific knowledge that guides national conservation priorities.

Along the eastern coastline—Cox’s Bazar, Teknaf, Inani, Himchari, and the Maheshkhali Channel—MLA conducts long-term monitoring of sea turtles, corals, cetaceans, whale sharks, seabirds, and coastal vegetation. These areas host critical nesting beaches for olive ridley and green turtles, as well as important feeding and migration areas for Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, finless porpoises, and Bryde’s whales. St. Martin’s Island, the country’s only coral-bearing island, remains one of our core sites where we monitor reef health, coral bleaching, water quality, and the impacts of tourism and climate change. These habitats are extremely sensitive to erosion, pollution, and overuse, which is why MLA supports habitat restoration initiatives such as screwpine plantation, reef documentation, and community awareness programs.




Sonadia Island—another critical work area—is one of Bangladesh’s most important ecological hotspots, supporting migratory waterbirds, shorebirds, sea turtles, and rich intertidal habitats. MLA works here with fishers and local residents to reduce bycatch, restore shoreline vegetation, remove harmful plastic and ghost nets, and monitor changes in wildlife populations. This area is under significant pressure from fishing, unplanned tourism, and habitat loss; therefore, our long-term presence provides essential ecological data and community-based solutions.


Further west toward the Sundarbans—the world’s largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site—MLA engages in marine species reporting, awareness-building, and collaborative monitoring. The Sundarbans and adjacent waters support Irrawaddy dolphins, finless porpoises, many species of sharks and rays, and a high diversity of riverine and coastal birds. Our efforts contribute to ongoing national and international conservation initiatives, linking local observations to broader regional research. Although the ecosystem is more riverine and estuarine compared to the sandy eastern beaches, it remains a key part of Bangladesh’s marine territory and an important area for MLA’s wider conservation framework.


MLA’s offshore work extends into the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Bangladesh, where we document sightings of whale sharks, dolphins, whales, and pelagic fish species. As Bangladesh expands its blue economy initiatives, sustainable management of these offshore habitats is becoming increasingly important. Our work in these waters includes supporting the development of national databases, collaborating with fishers on safe-release protocols, and promoting responsible fisheries practices that reduce mortality of protected species.


Across the entire coastline, MLA focuses strongly on community engagement. Coastal communities—including fishers, youth groups, women’s networks, boat operators, and local leaders—are central partners in our conservation efforts. We provide training on bycatch reduction, safe release of entangled animals, waste management, alternative livelihood opportunities, and environmentally responsible tourism practices. By strengthening local knowledge and participation, we help ensure that conservation efforts are meaningful, long-lasting, and community-owned.


Climate change continues to reshape Bangladesh’s coastline, increasing erosion, sea-level rise, cyclones, and salinity. MLA addresses these urgent challenges through nature-based solutions such as dune stabilization, native vegetation restoration, and screwpine plantation to protect vulnerable beaches, reduce storm impacts, and maintain natural habitats for wildlife. These efforts help build resilience not only for ecosystems but also for local communities whose homes, resources, and safety depend on a healthy coastline. Throughout all regions, MLA invests in data-driven conservation. Our teams use GPS mapping, drone surveys, photographic identification, community reporting networks, and ecological assessments to track changes in species populations and habitat conditions. These data are shared with government agencies, research institutions, and conservation networks to support policy development and national planning. By working across the entire coast and marine territory of Bangladesh, Marine Life Alliance remains committed to protecting biodiversity, sustaining coastal communities, and building a resilient future for one of the most biologically rich and socially important marine regions in the world.



Swatch of No Ground 


Our work along the southwest coast of Bangladesh focuses on one of the most ecologically rich yet highly vulnerable coastal ecosystems in the world—the Sundarban mangrove region. This globally significant landscape, stretching across the districts of Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat, forms the world’s largest continuous mangrove forest and serves as a critical natural barrier protecting millions of coastal people from cyclones, tidal surges, and saline intrusion. The unique mosaic of rivers, mudflats, creeks, islands, and dense mangrove forests supports an exceptional diversity of wildlife, including dolphins, fish, migratory birds, mud crabs, and countless marine and estuarine species that sustain local livelihoods.


Our work in this region focuses on strengthening the resilience of both ecosystems and communities by addressing key conservation challenges faced by the Sundarban coast. This includes monitoring threatened species such as the Irrawaddy dolphin, finless porpoise, migratory waterbirds, mudflat-dependent species, and estuarine fish populations. We engage directly with fishing communities who rely on these waters, promoting sustainable fishing practices, reducing bycatch, and raising awareness about the protection of dolphins, turtles, and other sensitive species that inhabit the mangrove estuaries. We also work to understand and reduce the pressures of climate change, sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, and increased cyclonic activity—factors that continue to reshape the coastal landscape. Through community-based stewardship, we support mangrove restoration, natural regeneration, and sustainable resource use so that local people remain active custodians of the forest and waterways. Our team collaborates with local authorities, forest-dependent families, fishers, women’s groups, and youth networks to strengthen environmental awareness and promote resilience-building activities such as nature-based livelihood options, habitat protection, and disaster preparedness.


In addition to ecological monitoring and community engagement, our efforts include documenting habitat changes, mapping dolphin hotspots, assessing declining mudflat environments, and understanding the shifting patterns of wildlife movement in response to salinity and hydrological changes. The southwest coast is a living laboratory of climate vulnerability and ecological adaptation, and our work supports both scientific understanding and practical solutions. Through long-term commitment, research, and community partnership, we aim to protect the Sundarban mangrove coast and ensure that its biodiversity, cultural heritage, and life-supporting resources continue to benefit the people of Bangladesh for generations to come.