The Hindu Business Line : Call to protect marine eco system

Kochi, Sept. 28 Speakers at a seminar, held as part of the World Maritime Day celebrations here, stressed on the need for implementing strict measures for the protection of the world marine eco system. In his keynote address, Mr M.P. John, Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Kochi, pointed out that protection of marine environment would be really effective if the measures adopted by the International Maritime Organisation and others are widely implemented on a daily basis by ordinary people in the industries that they serve.

Today, marine eco systems and biodiversity are endangered. Marine species such as whales, seals and dolphins are declining so is the case of the world’s fish stocks. Coral reefs are among the most productive and diverse of all natural eco systems. But about 10 per cent of the world’s reefs may already have been degraded beyond recovery and another 30 per cent are on the decline, he said.

Commodore M. Jitendran, CMD, Cochin Shipyard Ltd, in his address called upon the various maritime players in Kochi to “think global and act local”.

He said 90 per cent of the trade was through the maritime sector.

Apart from this, maritime trade would be preferred in future in view of it being environmentally friendly. India, specifically Kerala, has the necessary ingredients such as shipping, port management and services and maritime training facilities to fully tap the maritime potential.

He said both the shipyard and the port have agreed to contribute to the ‘think global and act local’ theme. CSL imports about 40,000 tonnes of material through the port.

At present, they are transported through the road, though the distance is only 3 km by a barge.

The two organisations have agreed to examine transporting at least 20 per cent of the material imported by sea, to avoid road congestion, pollution and contribute to improving the environment.

Mr B.V. Selvaraj, Administrator, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, stressed on the need for a self regulatory culture in shipping. He also pointed out that the ecological sensitivity of the Lakshadweep Islands and emphasised the need for more effective regulations to protect environmentally fragile areas.

Captain Subhash Kumar, Deputy Chairman of the Cochin Port Trust, in his address brought out the various initiatives by the IMO for the protection of marine environment and congratulated the Maritime Administration of India for highlighting the theme of the year “IMO’s Response To Current Environmental Challenges” for celebrating the World Maritime Day this year.