Latest news with #ICAR-CentralMarineFisheriesResearchInstitute
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Experts suggest coordinated action to tackle illegal shark fishing and trade
Marine experts have called for coordinated action and increased awareness to tackle illegal shark fishing and trade. An interactive workshop and panel discussion organised by ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here on Monday (July 14) highlighted the importance of collaboration among various agencies to ensure the conservation of protected species in the wake of India's recent expansion of the list of sharks and rays protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, according to a communication. Experts who attended the meeting felt the need to identify gaps in monitoring and enforcement. Habitat mapping, public awareness campaigns, gear modification, demarcation of conserved areas, AI-supported shark recognition devices, and an identification manual were proposed at the workshop. Shark fins in frozen form may often be difficult to identify by enforcement agencies, requiring the need for a strengthened collective capacity among all agencies involved in fisheries management, trade regulation, biodiversity conservation, and enforcement, the release said. Inaugurating the workshop, Shaik Khader Rahman, Chief Commissioner, CGST & Customs, said that joint training exercises and a real-time communication channel among Customs, Fisheries officers, Coastal police, researchers, and Forest and Wildlife departments were essential for effective enforcement. There is a need to forge lasting understanding and actionable strategies between conservation and enforcement, he added.
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Experts flag threat of plastic pollution in oceans
Ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled from June 9 to 13 in Nice, France, Indian ocean experts have flagged the issue of plastic pollution in oceans along the Indian coastline. UNOC is the most ambitious environmental conference after the 2015 Paris Climate Conference which led to the Paris Agreement, French officials said in a briefing on Friday. 'Ten years after COP21 and the Paris Agreement, UNOC-3 represents a historic opportunity to establish a binding global framework, and the Nice Agreement will constitute a real international pact for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean,' officials said. Plastic in oceans is among the biggest threats to marine life in India, a global survey involving marine scientists has said. A total of 58 ocean experts from 19 countries participated in the survey. 'It is alarming that around 5% of marine catch from coastal waters contains plastic waste', said Sunil Mohamed, Chair of the Sustainable Seafood Network of India and former principal scientist at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) who is one of three experts from India who participated in the survey. He called for strict measures to tackle the menace through coordinated and joint efforts of public and government agencies. 'There is inherent resilience in ocean ecosystems, and hence good fisheries management and environmental care could greatly help to restore the ecosystems.' 'The main problem is whatever ends up in our rivers and lakes or even in streams in the hilly regions will eventually come to the sea if the waste is not properly collected and disposed of. Aquatic life including fish mainly consume phyto plankton and other plankton. The degraded plastic is mistaken to be plankton and consumed by aquatic life which finally also ends up in the bodies of consumers who are consuming fish and other seafood,' said S Sabu, Associate Professor, Cochin University of Science and Technology, one of the other Indian experts who participated in the survey. 'This also applies to use of pesticides, industrial waste, fertilizers on land which will end up downstream. These carry pollutants and carcinogenic compounds. I highlighted these issues to the MSC,' he added. MSC is an international non-profit organisation, working with over 700 fisheries worldwide. The majority of the scientists were of the view that climate change is the greatest threat to ocean health and biodiversity as it causes ocean warming, sea level rise, and changes in ocean currents and weather patterns among many other impacts. Marine pollution, overfishing and changes to marine habitats also ranked highly in terms of impact, the survey revealed. 'Scientists from every single inhabited continent agree ocean biodiversity is under threat but there is still reason for optimism if we act now to save it for the future,' MSC said last week. The UNOC 3 conference, co-organised by France and Costa Rica, has three priorities. 'First, we want to advocate for the successful conclusion of multilateral processes related to the ocean, in terms of governance and Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreements. The high seas treaty cannot be a failure. If we do not seize the opportunity of UNOC-3, we risk wasting precious years for the sustainable management of the ocean. We're still far from having all the signatories to ratify BBNG throughout the world, but if we manage to get to 60 at the end of the year, that's achievable,' a French official said. BBNJ is a legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. India has already signed the BBNJ Treaty last year but not ratified it yet. 'India is proud to join the BBNJ Agreement, an important step towards ensuring that our oceans remain healthy and resilient,' external affairs minister S Jaishankar said in a post on X after signing the treaty at the United Nations headquarters in New York in September last year. UNOC's second priority is to must mobilize public and private funding to achieve SDG 14 (sustainable development goal 14 of the 17 such goals listed by the UN in 2015) which seeks to 'conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development' and support a sustainable blue economy. The third priority is to better disseminate oceanographic knowledge in order to inform global public policy with open access to data, officials said.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Climate change survey: Scientists from 19 nations warn of threats to ocean biodiversity
Thiruvananthapuram: Scientists from 19 countries, including India, are concerned about the growing threat to ocean biodiversity due to climate change, pollution and overfishing, according to a new survey by Marine Stewardship Council conducted in March this year. Fifty-eight noted ocean experts, including those from Kerala, participated in the survey conducted ahead of World Ocean Day on June 8 and United Nations Ocean Conference on June 9-13, said a press release. Rising sea surface temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events, including cyclones, are causing disruptions in the marine food web, thereby affecting coastal livelihoods. Plastic pollution is another worrying issue that has emerged as the biggest threat to marine ecosystems, the scientists said. According to the scientists who participated in the survey, a staggering amount of plastic debris, originating from human activities on land, is increasingly reaching the oceans. Marine scientists warned that this influx of plastic poses an escalating danger to coastal ecosystems and the livelihood of small-scale fishers, said the release. "It is alarming that around 5% of marine catch from coastal waters contains plastic waste," said Sunil Mohamed, chair of Sustainable Seafood Network of India and former principal scientist at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dosti™ Eastern Bay starting ₹2.83 Cr+* At Wadala, Mumbai Dosti Realty Book Now Flagging it as a grave issue to marine life, he called for stricter measures to tackle the menace through coordinated efforts of the public and govt agencies. "There is inherent resilience in ocean ecosystems, and hence good fisheries management and environmental care could greatly help to restore the ecosystems," he added. According to the state of world fisheries and aquaculture report, consumption of aquatic animals rose from 9.1kg per capita in 1961 to 20.7kg in 2022. Kerala is grappling with millions of plastic pellets that washed ashore from the sunken container ship MSC ELSA 3 along the southern coast, raising concerns of long-term pollution. Climate impact is another issue. Mohamed said, "Indian Ocean is rapidly warming, leading to disruptions in fish productivity, species distribution and the decline of some commercially important varieties." He is one of the three scientists involved in the global survey from India. Despite worries, the scientists are optimistic about the situation, pointing to advances in science and policy as tools in protecting the oceans. Dr Beth Polidoro, research director at Marine Stewardship Council, said: "There is a general consensus among scientists across the world that our oceans are under threat. A positive is that we are still in a place to change the trajectory, halt these negative impacts and ensure healthy oceans full of life for future generations. " Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
International Seaweed Day observed
To commemorate International Seaweed Day the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in association with SNAP Natural and Alginate Products, Ranipet, organised a seaweed farmers/collectors interaction meet on the campus premises. Around 350 seaweed farmers and collectors from Ramanathapuram and Kanniyakumari districts participated in the meeting. The programme was inaugurated by Ramanathapuram Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon. The felicitation address was delivered by Deputy Director of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Ramanathapuram, K. T. Gopinath, Secretary of Seaweed Research and Utilisation P. Anantharaman, and Executive Director of SNAP Natural and Alginate Products Kavita Nehemiah. Principal Scientist and Scientist-in-Charge, CSIR-CSMCRI-Marine Algal Research Station, Mandapam Camp, V. Veeragurunathan and other experts shared their views on the issues and challenges in seaweed collection and farming. The seaweed farmers/collectors expressed their views and ideas and also put forth their queries during the interaction session. The panel experts provided valuable suggestions and addressed their queries. The International Seaweed Day is observed on June 4 every year. It signifies the potential of seaweeds to address food security, climate change, and ecosystem health. It also encourages the inclusion of seaweed in our diets as a sustainable food alternative and promotes its discovery and dissemination, according to a press release.
Hans India
29-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Kerala declares Liberian ship capsize as a state-specific disaster, CMFRI begins study
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Thursday declared the wreckage of the Liberian ship M/s ELSA 3 in the Arabian Sea 14.6 nautical miles off the Kerala coast as a state-specific disaster. A statement issued from the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the ship, M/s MSC ELSA-3, carrying more than 643 containers, was reported to have capsized on May 25 off the Kerala Coast near Thottappalli in Alappuzha District. "The maritime incident has raised serious environmental concerns, including the potential for an oil spill and drifting of debris, including cargo, along Kerala's coastline. Considering the potentially serious environmental, social, and economic impact of the ship wreckage, the Government hereby declare the wreckage of the ship M/s ELSA 3 in the Arabian Sea 14.6 nautical miles off the Kerala coast as a State-Specific disaster," said the statement. This fresh development comes at a time when the Kerala government is seriously contemplating legal proceedings against the ship's owners after fishermen's associations have demanded appropriate compensation, fearing that the chemicals could cause long-term damage to marine life and jeopardise their livelihoods. The Vijayan government is awaiting a response from legal experts dealing with marine topics to go forward with legal steps. On Thursday, the containers that had been cleared from near the coast of Kollam and were being readied for transportation caught fire. But the fire was quickly doused. The vessel, which had reported listing approximately 38 nautical miles off the Kochi coast, ultimately sank into the Arabian Sea on Sunday morning. In a related development, the ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Thursday launched a study to assess the changes in the marine environment following the shipwreck. The study is currently being conducted by four different teams on the coastal areas of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. The teams are collecting water, phytoplankton and sediment samples from 10 stations in these districts at regular intervals for the investigation. According to CMFRI Director Grinson George, the study aims to understand various types of marine pollution associated with the shipwreck.
