ABSTRACT: This article gives a brief survey of the present status of brackish water shrimp culture and its increased importance in the economy of Bangladesh. The high and increasing population density is forcing people to engage in agriculture and aquaculture in low lying coastal areas where they are exposed to cyclones and tidal floods. Colonization of these areas has, however, led to deforestation and other adverse effects on the ecosystem. A policy of intensive farming using the most modern methods is necessary to reduce these effects caused largely by extensive low yield practices in a country where available land is extremely limited. It is proposed that the government augment its present policy of reforestation and take other steps to conserve the environment and to reduce siltation and erosion. Whereas the construction of coastal embankments to protect human life and property is necessary, much greater efforts should be taken to realize these engineering projects with minimum damage to the environment. A proper coastal zone management policy requires increased coordination among the numerous governmental agencies and the collection of sufficient reliable data on the ecosystem.