The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) is organising Aquabe 2019, the country’s first international conference on blue economy and aquatic resources, at Hotel Le Meridien here from November 28 to 30. 

As many as 500 stakeholders representing various countries, including researchers and policymakers, are expected to participate in the three-day conference to explore the potential of development and growth of the economy through sustainable exploitation of sea and inland water resources. 

A Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor, Kufos, and chairman of the organising committee, pointed out that oceans cover 72 per cent of the earth’s surface and provide a substantial portion of the global population with food and livelihood. By virtue of its strategic location in the Indian Ocean region, India, especially Kerala, which has 588-km coastline, has great potential to grow its blue economy in a sustainable, inclusive and people-centered manner, he said.

The focus area was recognised at the 14 Indian Ocean Rim Association ministerial meeting in Australia in 2014. The theme of Aquabe 2019 is based on the IORA guidelines, with a special reference to Kerala, Ramachandran said.

 The Ministry of External Affairs is organising a special session in association with IORA for the benefit of Somalia and Yemen. The two-day session will be dedicated to capacity building of fisheries professionals from these two countries. 

An all-India conclave of aquaculture farmers, which will focus on ground-level issues and requirements, will also be held on the occasion.

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