With USAID support, and in partnership with the Department of Fisheries (DoF) of the Government of Bangladesh, WorldFish has implemented the Enhanced Coastal Fisheries in Bangladesh (ECOFISH) activity since June 2014. The activity focused on improving the resilience of the Meghna River and estuarine ecosystems and livelihoods that depend on coastal fisheries and the most important species in that fishery, hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha). The activity improved science-based fisheries management decision-making, strengthened fisheries adaptive co- management and enhanced the resilience and livelihood options of poor fishers. It also addressed the policy requirements at different levels of government and gradually introduced the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM). The most visible success of ECOFISH is sustainable production of around 0.5 million t/yr of hilsa, more than double the annual catches in the early 2000s and a 30% increase from the activity baseline. Overall biodiversity in terms of species diversity and abundance of riverine species, including catfish has been increased. A key factor has been the mobilization of 20,000 fishing households through a co-management approach in 136 communities living alongside the six designated hilsa sanctuaries resulting in increased compliance to fishing management measures such as fishing banned periods and fishing gear regulations. ECOFISH II will build on the success of ECOFISH phase one in the lower Meghna by consolidating best practices and supporting the Department of Fisheries to move towards an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. It will also expand interventions in the USAID Zone of Resilience (ZOR) of Cox’s Bazar, supporting the immediate and longer-term needs of fishing communities along the Naf River and Bay of Bengal coastline from Cox’s Bazar to Teknaf. This will include improving returns from fishing and related activities such as fish drying, opening up new opportunities including alternative income generating activities, improving fisheries management and applying