KOCHI: The second international symposium on Marine Ecosystem- Challenges and Opportunities (MECOS-2) began here on Tuesday.
Trevor Platt, eminent marine scientist and a Fellow of the Royal Society, London, inaugurated the symposium, organised by the Marine Biological Association of India.
Appreciating the spectacular advances Indian marine scientists have achieved in recent times, Platt observed that India is remarkably well placed to take the lead on the world stage, being a pioneer in the application of remotely-sensed data for societal benefit, in particular for the use of the fisheries secto.
“The daily advisory for potential fishing zones, issued for the entire Indian coast in local languages, is justifiably famous,” he said.
On the occasion, the speakers focussed on the need to revise the policies associated with water pollution, wildlife and fisheries.
They highlighted the need for an exclusive Water Pollution Act and an exclusive ministry for fisheries. They also pointed out that the country has been providing diluted opportunities in the field of marine biology and that bodies like the Marine Biological Association must take the lead role to develop the discipline.
The symposium, being attended by more than 200 experts from India and abroad, is expected to come out with frontier research strategies and policies to address the emerging challenges in the marine ecosystems of the Asia Pacific region. The symposium on Marine Ecosystem- Challenges and Opportunities will conclude on 5 December. A Gopalakrishnan, Director, CMFRI, presided over the function. Marine scientists E G Silas, PSBR James, G Syda Rao and V N Pillai offered felicitation. Madan Mohan, (ADG ICAR), K Sunil Mohamed and V Kripa also spoke.
Award for Bright Singh
I S Bright Singh of the Department of Environmental Studies,Cusat, was awarded the second Dr S Jones prize during the function. Singh was given the prize in recognition of his outstanding research contributions to marine biology and aquatic animal health sciences. Singh is the founder coordinator of the National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health (NCAAH), Cusat.