Advanced research and studies are essential to exploit the highly prospective ocean resources effectively, Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, has said.

Oceans can provide the answer for increasing demands of energy, food and minerals. But due to lack of proper study and research, India is not able to exploit ocean resources, he said.

It is also inconceivable that the challenge of climate change can be tackled without a sustainable management of oceans. Security of national boundaries and shipping routes call for vigil in the oceans, he added.

Nayak was addressing a press conference to announce the World Ocean Science Congress 2015 to be held in Kochi from February 5 next year with the focal theme “Protect Oceans for Posterity”.

According to him, Indian Ocean is among the least understood and managed oceans of the world. Lack of effective regional cooperation, population pressure on coastal belts, socio-economic constraints and an open access fishery regime compound this further.

Advances in technology can provide answers in many of these areas. It is also necessary to bring together all the stakeholders on oceans, ocean related activities and its resources. An Indian leadership in the effective management of the Indian Ocean is most timely in view of its potential to alleviate resource deficit of many sectors, sustainability and security, not just for our country, but for humanity in general, he said.

WOSC- 2015 will be jointly organised by Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Swadeshi Science Movement, Kerala.

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