Ecosystem Modeling for Sustainable Aquaculture

Site selection is a key factor for any aquaculture operation because it affects both success and sustainability. It can solve conflicts that occur with various activities and ensure rational use of the land and water. Noakhali is situated in the central coastal zone of Bangladesh, along the northeastern coast of the Bay of Bengal. The coastline of Noakhali is about 75 km long and exposed to the Bay of Bengal and the Meghna River. Fish and paddy production on time-sharing basis at Noakhali cast may be economically viable and ecologically suitable. This implies that integrated approaches of aquaculture and agriculture could bring attractive returns to the rural population of Noakhali. The socio-economic benets derived from aquaculture expansion include the provision of nutrients, employment and income generation for the poor, diversification of fish production and create scope for foreign exchange earnings through export of high-valued products.