Three coral reefs found in the Bay of Bengal

Scientists from the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) found three coral-rich sites in the Bay of Bengal and one coral reef site.

A new species of soft coral has been identified among coral sites near St. Martin’s Island that could lead to the development of drugs used to treat cancer, said the study’s principal investigator Md Hasibul Islam, BORI’s scientific director.

Apart from using corals for medicinal purposes, the new discovery offers new hope of contributing up to Tk 114 crores annually to the blue economy through marine tourism in the fields of snorkeling, photography and videography, he added.

He presented his research today at the annual research presentation seminar on the BORI campus.

In another study, Bori researchers identified a total of 131 crab species. Principal investigator of the study, Md Tarikul Islam, senior research scientist at the institute, said that of these species, five are used commercially in Bangladesh as marine food.

The seaweed study analyzed seaweed’s approximate composition, nutrient content and antioxidant status, which will help understand the value of seaweed to human health.

Abu Sayeed Muhammad Sharif, a senior scientist at BORI, said he worked with 10 commercial seaweeds as part of the research.

He said they are working on commercial production of seaweed through tissue culture, which will contribute to the development of the blue economy.

Fifteen researchers were present at the day-long seminar, chaired by Commander Md Minarul Hoque, Director General, BORI.

On this occasion, the following also spoke: Mokabbir Hossain, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Rear Admiral Md Khurshed Alam, BORI Board Member and President, National Oceanographic and Maritime Institute.