Staff Correspondent

Chief Whip of the National Parliament Md. Nurul Islam has emphasized the critical need for coordinated preparedness and integrated initiatives to ensure maritime security, protect the welfare of fishermen, conserve marine resources, and safeguard vital submarine cables.

The observations were made during a courtesy meeting between the Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and the Chief Whip at the National Parliament Bhaban on Wednesday.

During the high-level discussion, both sides reviewed emergency response strategies to counter potential disruptions or cuts to submarine cables caused by warfare or sabotage. To enhance the safety of grassroots fishermen and streamline maritime monitoring, they evaluated the feasibility of introducing a color-coded identification system for fishing boats and implementing mandatory GPS trackers on seafaring vessels. The dialogue also focused heavily on preventing drug trafficking across maritime routes, ensuring the sustainable management of marine fisheries, capitalizing on the vast economic potential of Bangladesh's Blue Economy, and enhancing the overall operational capabilities of the Coast Guard.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam underscored that seamless collaboration among the Coast Guard, the Department of Fisheries, and all other relevant stakeholders is paramount to securing the nation's territorial waters and protecting coastal livelihoods.

Responding to infrastructure requirements, the Director General of the Bangladesh Coast Guard highlighted that incorporating helicopters into the force's fleet has become essential to making deep-sea search and rescue operations more effective and agile. Beyond physical security, both parties stressed the importance of well-coordinated, multi-agency initiatives to combat the spread of online misinformation, including fake news and AI-generated deepfake images and videos that pose risks to national stability.