Editing Bay of Bengal (section)

=== Ecological degradation ===
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==== Fisheries overexploitation ====
[[File:Bay of Bengal 2.jpg|thumb|250px|Some small fishing boats are catching fish & sell them in local coastal markets.]]
[[Fisheries]] production in the Bay of Bengal is six million tonnes per year, more than seven percent of the world's catch. The major transboundary issues relating to shared fisheries are: a decline in the overall availability of fish resources; changes in species composition of catches; the high proportion of juvenile fish in the catch; and changes in [[marine biodiversity]], especially through loss of vulnerable and [[endangered species]]. The transboundary nature of these issues are: that many [[fish stocks]] are shared between BOBLME countries through the transboundary migration of fish, or [[Ichthyoplankton|larvae]]. Fishing overlaps national jurisdictions, both legally and illegally&nbsp;– overcapacity and [[overfishing]] in one location forces a migration of fishers and vessels to other locations. All countries (to a greater or lesser degree) are experiencing difficulties in implementing [[fisheries management]], especially the [[ecosystem approach to fisheries]]. Bay of Bengal countries contribute significantly to the global problem of loss of [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]] and endangered species.
The main causes of the issues are: open access to fishing grounds; government emphasis on increasing fish catches; inappropriate government subsidies provided to fishers; increasing fishing effort, especially from [[Fishing trawler|trawlers]] and [[purse seiners]]; high consumer demand for fish, including for seed and [[fishmeal]] for [[aquaculture]]; ineffective fisheries management; and illegal and destructive fishing.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

==== Marine habitats degradation ====
The Bay of Bengal is an area of high biodiversity, with many endangered and vulnerable species. The major transboundary issues relating to habitats are: the loss and degradation of [[mangrove]] habitats; [[Environmental issues with coral reefs|degradation of coral reefs]]; and the loss of, and damage to, [[seagrasses]]. The transboundary nature of these major issues are: that all three critical habitats occur in all BOBLME countries. [[Coastal development hazards|Coastal development]] for several varying uses of the land and sea are common in all BOBLME countries. Trade in products from all the habitats is transboundary in nature. [[Climate change]] impacts are shared by all BOBLME countries.
The main causes of the issues are: [[food security]] needs of the coastal poor; lack of [[Coastal management|coastal development plans]]; increasing trade in products from coastal habitats; coastal development and industrialization; ineffective [[marine protected area]]s and lack of enforcement; upstream development that affects water-flow; [[Nonpoint source pollution|intensive upstream agricultural practices]]; and increasing tourism.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}