KARACHI, Dec 20: The need for sharing of improved methodologies for marine resources management, acquiring new technologies for utilization of non-conventional resources and transfer of technology for efficient and environment-friendly exploration was stressed by delegates of Muslim countries at a seminar on Friday.
The three-day regional seminar on utilization of marine resources was organized by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Isesco) in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography and Pakistan National Commission for United Nations’ Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization at the NIO’s headquarters.
Sindh Forest and Wildlife Secretary Shamsul Huq Memon inaugurated the seminar, which is also being attended by scholars from Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Maldives and Oman.
The participants called for development of collaborative programmes in research, management and utilization of marine resources, increase in scientific exchange among Isesco marine scientists, resource managers and institutions, besides increased pool of scientists, experts and managers.
The provincial secretary said ocean resources had an immense potential for contributing towards national economic progress.
He said the coastal and offshore areas and the exclusive economic zone were bestowed with large natural resources and serious efforts were needed to explore the rich fisheries, mineral, oil and gas resources.
He pointed out that a solo expedition of the members of the NIO to the South Pole in 1994-95 to carry out research work at the far-flung international research station was an example of global participation. He said the courage displayed by the research workers was a source of pride for the country.
He said oceans were an element of the food chain responsible for keeping the earth green and hospitable for human civilization.
He said that with the explosion of human population and exploitation of fish and other marine resources, the once inexhaustible food resource had started depleting wherever there was uncontrolled and unscientific exploitation.
There was an urgent need to arrest the degradation through more scientific management and boosting of renewable ocean resources, he emphasized.
The secretary said that modern scientific research in oceanography and renewable resources had opened new chapters in understanding the complex oceanic process and sustainable exploration.
He said more than 80 per cent of marine primary production occurred in relatively poorly surveyed open ocean.
Earlier, NIO Director-General Dr Shahid Amjad presented the welcome address. Dr Ali Guima Ashour, expert at Isesco science directorate, presented the keynote address.
In the first session, country reports were presented by Prof Nuruddin Mahmoud, University of Chittagong; Dr Vahid Chegini, Iranian National Centre for Oceanography; Dr Abdul Razak M. Mohammed, vice-president of Basra University; Prof Zubair Haji Din, director University Sains, Malaysia; Abdul Mohsin Ramiz, in-charge oceanography section, Maldives; Dr S.I. Ahmed, head Sultan Qaboos University, Oman; and Dr Amjad.—APP