India’s World Ocean Science Congress Proposes New Policies
The four-day World Ocean Science Congress just concluded after 86 different institutions in India presented on the their ideas and research to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Fourteen international groups were also in attendance. These scientists, oceanographers and marine experts are urging the Prime Minister to form a ministry that can manage all agencies solely conducting ocean research and facilitate the implementation of new government policies.
That includes the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) and the National Institute of Ocean Technology participated in the Congress, which was jointly organized by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and the Swadeshi Science Movement.
K V Thomas MP said the government should involve the fishing community while formulating polices that affect their livelihood.“There is a clear distinction between fishing techniques in India, which are mostly traditional, and the fishing practices elsewhere, especially in the European countries, which are largely led by commercial interests.”
He added that the sea belongs to the traditional fishing community, and we should make the latest technology available to those facing low income and poor living standards.
“Members of the WOSC consortium will sit together again to evolve a comprehensive policy document based on the recommendations, and will submit it to the Prime Minister,” said Vijnana Bharati secretary general A Jayakumar.
The Congress also requested that the government establish a procedure to identify the potential use of coastal mineral resources, based on Environmental Impact Assessment.
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