The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will spearhead the formulation of a national-level action plan for the sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems in the country. It will collaborate with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-India to draft management strategies for strengthening resilience and nurturing healthy and productive ocean ecosystems.
A two-day brainstorming session would be organised by the NITI Aayog, CMFRI and WWF-India in Kochi from July 4, said a release issued by the CMFRI on Saturday. Noted marine biologists, environmentalists, technocrats and fisheries experts from across the country as well as senior officials of fisheries departments from all the maritime States and Union Territories will take part in the session, at the end of which a draft action plan will be finalised.
Experts from various sectors would identify the ways and means of protecting ocean wealth from a long-term perspective, and the draft action plan would be circulated among the stakeholders for feedback, said CMFRI Director A. Gopalakrishnan. This was part of an effort to achieve one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-14) set by the United Nations, which is related to conservation of oceans, seas and marine resources.
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