I also felt a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to the TBTI Bangladesh organization’s goals within my country. The meeting emphasized the need for TBTI Bangladesh to strengthen partnerships with researchers and policymakers, advocate for the recognition of small-scale fisheries in national policies and development agendas, and understand the youth perspectives of addressing the injustices of small-scale fisheries. The discussions also highlighted the importance of documenting and sharing the stories of small-scale fishers in Bangladesh.
Attending the 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference (14AFAF 2025) was an enriching experience, but one of the most impactful moments was the opportunity to meet the Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Global Director, Dr. Ratana Chuenpagdee and the Coordinators of the TBTI Philippines and TBTI Thailand. As a member of TBTI Bangladesh, this meeting was not only a chance to connect with key figures in the global small-scale fisheries community but also an opportunity to reflect on the role of TBTI in advancing sustainable fisheries and the importance of regional collaboration.
From left: Dr. Suvaluck Satumanatpan (TBTI Thailand), Dr. Ratana Chuenpagdee, Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer (TBTI Philippines), and Ruyel Miah
Meeting the TBTI Global Director and the Hubs Coordinators reinforced the significance of TBTI’s mission to highlight the importance of small-scale fisheries worldwide. As a member of TBTI Bangladesh, I felt a renewed sense of purpose in contributing to this global movement. The meeting also highlighted the importance of regional hubs in facilitating knowledge exchange, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration across countries.
I also felt a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to the organization’s goals within my country. The meeting emphasized the need for TBTI Bangladesh to strengthen partnerships with researchers and policymakers, advocate for the recognition of small-scale fisheries in national policies and development agendas, and understand the youth perspectives of addressing the injustices of small-scale fisheries. The discussions also highlighted the importance of documenting and sharing the stories of small-scale fishers in Bangladesh.
The 14th AFAF 2025 had another significant meeting for me. I received the Kanazawa Commendations Award as a recognition of my doctoral research on transboundary small-scale fisheries governance. The Asian Fisheries Society-Kanazawa Research Fellowship Awards are prestigious grants designed to support and promote research in fisheries and aquaculture across Asia. The award provides financial assistance to early-career researchers, enabling them to conduct innovative studies that address critical challenges in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture development, and marine resource management. Recipients of the award gain valuable opportunities to enhance their research skills and make meaningful contributions to the field of fisheries science.
The President of the Asian Fisheries Society and guests are presenting the award to Ruyel
On a whole, the 14th AFAF 2025 provided the platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, in addition to giving me a sense of appreciation and purpose for the work that I do. I am excited to carry forward the lessons and inspiration from this meeting into my work with TBTI Bangladesh. Together, we can ensure that small-scale fisheries are not only “too big to ignore” but also too vital to fail. I am grateful to my PhD Supervisor, Dr. Prateep Nayak, and V2V Global Partnership for the opportunity to attend the conference.