Ocean Literacy for Coastal Resilience
Bridging the gap between scientific ocean models and coastal communities. Co-creating localized knowledge to drive climate resilience and locally led adaptation strategies in vulnerable regions of Bangladesh.
Select an initiative below to explore our detailed field metrics, visual datasets, and impacts.
Completed Initiative: Building a Resilient Community
Implemented from May to October 2023 with seed grant funding from the Korea SHE Foundation, this project promoted grassroots ocean literacy across 19 vulnerable coastal districts.
Project Overview & Seed Funding
With a pivotal seed grant of USD $3,000 from the Korea Safety Health Environment (SHE) Foundation, Nirmol Bangladesh spearheaded the "Building a Resilient Community through Ocean Literacy: Empowering Women, Students, and Unemployed Youth" project.
The project targeted marginalized communities in low-lying coastal regions, demonstrating immense flexibility in program design during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. It combined capacity-building programs, early-warning signal education, and dynamic youth-led campaigns to build community-driven climate adaptation capacity.
"Flexibility in program design is key to addressing the immediate, lived climate realities of coastal communities."
Key Project Milestones
Trace the chronological progression and results of the 2023 Seed Grant project.
Post-Cyclone Support
Re-routed efforts to provide support and technical data collection in Cox's Bazar Sadar and Teknaf following a severe tropical cyclone. Over 300 individuals were directly supported, benefiting an estimated 2,000 coastal community members.
Cox's Bazar DistrictCapacity Building Course
Launched a hybrid training course blending virtual lectures and offline practical workshops. Engaged and certified 40 young researchers and graduate students in ocean-climate interactions.
Dhaka (Hybrid)Seminars & Rally in Dhaka
Conducted ocean climate seminars at Rupnagar Govt. Secondary High School, educating over 300 school students. Organized an environmental conservation rally with 350+ public participants.
Rupnagar, DhakaHigh School Workshop
Hosted a capacity building workshop at Gohira AJYMS Bohu Mukhi High School, Chittagong. Provided interactive visual education to 300+ students and teachers on marine plastic pollution.
Anwara, ChittagongYoung Climate Leaders Program
Appointed and trained over 20 climate leaders across different universities. Provided them with toolkits to organize student campaigns and promote localized environmental awareness.
National ExpansionBeach Awareness Campaign
Conducted an interactive beach protection campaign at Cox's Bazar sea beach. Enrolled 110 volunteers to interact with tourists, distributing brochures to reduce plastics and protect coastal sand dunes.
Cox's Bazar BeachWomen & Youth Empowerment Training
Held localized research and field methods training at Sher-E-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka. Empowered 20 trainees (10 female, 10 male) on gender-sensitive scientific data gathering.
SAU, DhakaRunning Research: Assessing Ocean Literacy as a Driver of Climate Resilience
In its 2nd Phase (July 2023 - June 2025), this community-based assessment focuses on Moheskhali Upazila, Cox's Bazar district. The study examines how baseline ocean literacy affects the adaptation strategies of traditional fishermen.
Academic & Research Collaboration
Conducted in collaboration with the International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) under the CAP-RES Project (Capacity Strengthening of multi-actors at local, national and regional levels to limit climate change impacts and enhance resilience).
Core Objectives
- Baseline Knowledge Assessment: Measure fishermen's factual knowledge regarding ocean processes, tides, and marine resources.
- Identify Information Channels: Locate key formal and informal channels (e.g., peers, family, TV, Windfinder apps) from which communities acquire sea knowledge.
- Examine Adaptive Behavior: Investigate how ocean literacy levels correlate with decision-making when warnings are broadcasted or resources degrade.
- Bridge Science & Tradition: Outline strategies to blend fishermen's generations-old tacit observations with global oceanographic models.
Methodology Scope
- Focal Study Area: Moheskhali Upazila, Cox's Bazar district (Tariakata, Shahporir Dwip, Amudira Para).
- Stratified Random Sampling: Target sample size of 384 respondents calculated using proportional population statistics at 95% confidence level.
- Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Five scheduled sessions divided by demographic indicators (e.g., student group, male fishermen, female community members).
- Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Academic and policy interviews with scientific officers from BFRI and BORI, local NGO planners, and environmental advocates.
UNESCO Ocean Literacy Principles Focused
Out of the 7 global principles, our local assessment primarily targets three critical areas.
Ocean, Weather & Climate Influence
Assessing community awareness of the ocean's role as a major heat buffer, moisture source, and climate regulator. Investigating local knowledge regarding extreme events, cyclone formations, and seasonal rainfall patterns.
Diversity of Marine Life & Ecosystems
Evaluating fishermen's understanding of the food chain, marine breeding grounds, key spawning cycles, and the importance of marine ecosystems (coral reefs, mangroves, salt marshes) for coastal protection.
Inextricable Connection of Ocean & Humans
Measuring the recognition of anthropogenic stresses (plastic pollution, overfishing, destructive gears) on marine health, and how these changes degrade coastal livelihoods and compromise food security.
Key Qualitative Insights From the Field
Synthesized findings from Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) conducted with fishermen in Moheskhali Upazila.
Weather Perception & Warning Systems
- Mixed Climate Perceptions: Fishermen in Tariakata and Shahporir Dwip report significantly hotter summers and warmer winters. However, some remote groups in Ajayakara attribute weather changes solely to natural creation rather than oceanic links.
- Traditional Forecasting: 94.3% of fishermen predict local storms and rainfall by observing wind directions, wave patterns, and the "roaring sound" of the sea.
- Warning Response: 84.79% of respondents actively seek safety upon warning. Yet, some fishermen resist evacuating to shelters due to fears of theft and robbery.
Ecosystem Health & Adaptation Barriers
- Declining Catch Rates: Fishermen widely observe a severe reduction in traditional target catches, including Catfish, Churi, Hilsa, and Loitya. High temperatures and nearby industrial projects are blamed.
- Livelihood Lock-in: 71.65% of fishermen have not changed their occupations despite severe climate threats, citing a lack of alternative vocational training, capital, and resources.
- Ecological Views: Traditional taboos persist; catching dolphins or tortoises is feared as a bad omen, while destructive trawling and "current net" practices during government bans are recognized as highly harmful.
Joint Collaboration: Community Needs Assessment (COLOCAL)
In partnership with the International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and funded by the COLOCAL project of IUB, this initiative assesses locally led adaptation (LLA) in Satkhira and Cox's Bazar.
Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) Co-Creation
Funded by the COLOCAL Project of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), this research assesses community vulnerability and co-creates visual knowledge products (video scripts, community screenings) in Satkhira (Shyamnagar Upazila) and Cox's Bazar (Najiratake, Somitipara, Khuruskhul, Chowfaldandi).
Key Quantitative Infographics
Quantitative field survey results (Sample size: 146 participants across coastal farmers, fishermen, housewives, and youth).
Climate Change Consensus
136 out of 146 respondents report climate change as a visible, daily reality affecting their community.
Satkhira LLA Assessment
- Vulnerability Rationale: Munshiganj Union (Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhira) suffers from chronic salinity intrusion, drinking water scarcity, and embankment erosion.
- Adaptation Gaps: Farmers require salt-tolerant rice seeds and training on cultivating crops without seedlings (beans, pepper, round potatoes).
- Knowledge Production: Written video scripts based on local dialogue, translating global scientific research into visual LLA training modules.
Cox's Bazar Field Insights
- Najiratake (South Kutubdiapara): 60+ members engaged. Sea-level rise is highly visible. Women report rising health hazards (itching, dengue, respiratory pains).
- Chowfaldandi & Khuruskhul: Over 110 farmers and fishermen engaged. Farmers note that industrial plants (Matarbari) and changing temperature have severely disrupted eggplant, brinjal, and rice harvests.
- Livelihood Coping: Deep tube wells installed for salinity. Severe storm damage requires borrowing from local merchants, which fishermen repay in the winter.
Field Research in Action
Click on any image to expand and view details of our data collection, focus groups, and interviews in Cox's Bazar.
Our Research & Project Team
Meet the dedicated team of researchers, investigators, and outreach specialists behind the initiatives.
Sheikh Fahim Faysal Sowrav
Project DirectorGeneral Secretary of Nirmol Bangladesh & Lecturer in the Department of Oceanography and Hydrography at Bangladesh Maritime University.
Md. Alamgir Hossain
Lead ResearcherResearch Intern at ICCCAD (CAP-RES Project) & Climate Resilience Specialist. Leading survey design and field data collection.
Nafis Imtiaj Hossain
Climate Adaptation SpecialistSpecializes in climate policy and community resilience. Designs survey instruments and guides data analysis for LLA planning.
Maisha Farzana Methila
Community CoordinatorLeads direct field coordination, focus groups, and ensures inclusive representation of women and disabled groups.
Md. Habibur Rahman
Media & Content DeveloperSkilled in environmental storytelling. Oversees scripting, filming, and editing of educational LLA videos.
Ms. Ishrar Tahmin Anika
Research AssociateBackground in disaster management and research communication. Coordinates community feedback and report preparation.
Partner with Nirmol Bangladesh
Nirmol Bangladesh is a registered non-profit with an established track record in field research, stakeholder co-creation, and transparent financial reporting. We operate with strict auditing processes, making us an ideal partner for international donors.
By investing in our Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) programs, you fund targeted research, climate-resilient agriculture, and grassroots training hubs that directly empower vulnerable coastal communities.
Become a Youth Climate Leader
Are you a student or young professional looking to make a real difference? Nirmol Bangladesh's **Young Climate Leaders Program** is your opportunity to gain hands-on experience in environmental advocacy.
Get trained in disaster planning, scientific data collection, and community screening. Lead workshops in your university, earn official volunteer certificates, and build your capacity as a future climate policymaker.
Project Resources & Scientific Outlines
Explore detailed research protocols, field methodologies, and questionnaire frameworks prepared for the research studies.
Baseline Survey Variables & Metrics
To measure the baseline ocean literacy score of the community, the structured questionnaire splits variables into distinct thematic indicators:
1. Factual Ocean Knowledge
Assesses factual understanding of sea level rise causes (e.g., melting glaciers vs. pollution), marine food chain, and mangrove functions.
2. Ocean-Climate Link
Measures recognition of the ocean's influence on wind patterns, cloud formations, and regional cyclonic events.
3. Warning Signal Literacy
Evaluates comprehension of coastal warning numbers (1 to 10) and whether the respondent knows which specific signals require immediate shelter seek.
4. Livelihood Adaptation
Records historical changes in occupational patterns due to declining fish catches or saltwater intrusion.
Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Framework
Our focus group discussions are guided by a thematic protocol derived from the UNESCO Ocean Literacy principles, translating complex topics into local colloquial Bengali. Key thematic prompts include:
- principle 3: Weather and temperature changes in the past 30 years and their relationship with the ocean.
- principle 5: Necessity of marine life besides commercially targetable fish species.
- principle 6: Perceived local environmental damages (destructive gear types, industrial coal power plants, mangrove clearing) and local solutions.
- Livelihood Transitions: Professional willingness and barriers preventing vocational changes in case of resource depletion.
COLOCAL Satkhira Needs Assessment Framework
The Satkhira baseline needs assessment framework measures community understanding of Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) through four key vectors:
- Adaptive Capacity: Identifies salinity issues, waterlogging barriers, and agricultural harvest damage.
- Dissemination Preferences: Gauges how the local community prefers to consume warnings and information (e.g. short dialect videos shown on community screen projectors).
- Frontline Volunteer Demands: Evaluates local youth volunteers' needs for formal training, social recognition, and certification.
- Resource Gaps: Details specific infrastructure demands such as separate sanitations in cyclone shelters and drinking water supply networks.