St Martin's Island Marine Protected Area

Approximately 1,743 km2 of the Bay of Bengal around St Martin's Island, declared a Marine Protected Area in 2022 under sections 13(1) and 13(2) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. Bangladesh's only coral reef and ~230 finfish species. Coral destruction and uncontrolled/overfishing are restricted; the area is the prime location any diver might attempt spearfishing, and it is protected. A 590-hectare part of the island was also declared an Ecologically Critical Area in 1999.