CMFRI, MSU sign pact for research on Gulf of Mannar

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, keen to boost research on marine biodiversity in the Gulf of Mannar, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU), Tirunelveli, for collaborative work and to develop manpower for exploring the prospects of marine biodiversity in the region.

CMFRI Director A. Gopalakrishnan and MSU Vice Chancellor K. Bhaskar signed the MoU, said a press release here. The Tuticorin research centre of the CMFRI will play the lead in the collaborative research programmes.

The CMFRI, the largest marine fisheries research centre in the country, will be recognised as approved research centre of the MSU and CMFRI scientists will act as the approved research guides of the university.

This will help the research fellows at the CMFRI working in the area of marine biodiversity to receive PhDs from the MSU on the successful completion of their projects.

Dr. Gopalakrishnan said both the institutions would organise seminars and conferences for the development of marine sciences.

The Gulf of Mannar is known to harbour rich marine biodiversity of global significance and is one of the richest regions from the marine biodiversity perspective. The region comprises of 560 square kilometre core area of coral islands, shallow marine habitat and 21 uninhabited islands.