KARACHI, Jan 30: A symposium on “Marine Environment — Food, Health and Habitat” concluded here on Wednesday, recommending to stop use of small mesh nets in the creek areas and educate the fishermen about the adverse affects of using such nets.

The two-day symposium at The British Council was held under the higher education link between the Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology of Karachi University and the Scottish Association of Marine Sciences programme.

About 35 scientists, researchers, environmental activists and government officials deliberated on diverse topics which included fisheries, acquaculture, biodiversity, conservation, health and social issues, economics, development and new compound applications.

A Scottish researcher, Dr Raymond Leakey, who summed up the proceedings of the symposium, remarked that the forum proved an active and diverse research base. He said the Pakistani scientists had got great potentials to address the marine environmental issues.

The symposium recommended that desalination plants should be established in Karachi coastal area. Mangrove plantation should be undertaken on the Sindh coast to stop soil erosion.

It was further urged that boats must be registered by the local government. The symposium also demanded for alternative source of income for the fishermen.

Speaking as chief guest, The British Council director Charlie Walker said a good number of higher education link programmes were being conducted by the council in Karachi and other parts of the province. He mentioned that the higher education link between the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the Centre of Excellence had provided opportunities to the Scottish scientists as well to disseminate information about marine problems.

The director of CEMB, Dr S. Makhdoom Hussain, said the symposium was a timely interaction between the scientists researchers, government bodies and other related quarters on marine environment. He stressed the need for creating more awareness among the people on the factors threatening the marine environment to overcome the degradation of seas.

Later, Charlie Walker gave away prizes and certificates of appreciation to about two dozen students who put on display there scientific posters on marine environment.

Ghulam Abbas, Seema Shafique and Raoof Muhammad Niazi were adjudged as winners of first, second and third prizes (cash) respectively.

The Pakistani coordinator for the link programme, Dr Pirzada Jamal Siddiqui, told Dawn that the higher education link established in 1999 would conclude in March. He said the British Council had agreed to extend the link between the CEMB and the SAMS for assessment and management of coastal pollution in the future.