States » SouthPosted at: Nov 6 2026 6:52PM


Kochi Declaration seeks global ocean monitoring network: Centre stresses science-based solutions for climate-hit communities

Kochi, Nov 6 (UNI) The Centre is stepping up efforts to translate scientific research and technological advancements into practical solutions for communities vulnerable to climate change, with particular emphasis on coastal populations, fisheries and other marginalised sections, union Secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr T Srinivasa Kumar has said.
Addressing the concluding session of a three-day international symposium on fisheries and remote sensing at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here, he said scientific knowledge must reach ordinary people and help them cope with the increasing challenges posed by climate change.
Outlining the Ministry's priorities, he highlighted the Deep Ocean Mission, which seeks to expand India's deep-sea exploration capabilities, develop indigenous technologies and strengthen ocean observation systems.
He also referred to PRITHvi Vigyan (PRITHVI), an integrated Earth system science programme covering the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere and solid Earth, aimed at improving the country's capabilities in weather and climate forecasting, ocean services and disaster management.
Mission Mausam, another flagship initiative, is designed to make India a weather-ready and climate-smart nation by strengthening observation networks, weather modelling, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence-based forecasting. It would improve the accuracy of weather predictions and ensure timely early warnings for monsoons, cyclones and extreme weather events, he said.
Emphasising the importance of the Blue Economy, Kumar said ocean science and observation services should contribute to sustainable fisheries, safeguard coastal livelihoods and promote marine conservation while maintaining the health of ocean ecosystems.
He also moderated a panel discussion on the use of emerging technologies, including drones and artificial intelligence, for sustainable fisheries management.
Meanwhile, the symposium adopted the Kochi Declaration, calling for an integrated multinational ocean observation and monitoring system to address growing threats to marine ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience.
The declaration proposed free, open and timely access to ocean data, recognising it as a shared global resource essential for scientific research, informed policymaking and sustainable management of marine resources. It also stressed the need to preserve and scientifically curate historical ocean datasets for future research and long-term monitoring.
The declaration was formally submitted to the union Secretary for consideration and further policy-level action.
The symposium was jointly organised by the Trevor Platt Science Foundation, the Department of Chemical Oceanography of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), CMFRI and the Marine Biological Association of India.
Around 250 scientific papers were presented at the international gathering, which brought together more than 300 delegates from 30 countries to deliberate on developments in fisheries science, remote sensing, ocean observation and sustainable marine resource management.
CUSAT Vice-Chancellor Dr Junaid M Bushiri, CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George, Prof Shubha Sathyendranath, Dr Nandini Menon and Dr Eldho Varghese also addressed the concluding session.
UNI DS
Tags: #Kochi Declaration seeks global ocean monitoring network: Centre stresses science-based solutions for climate-hit communities
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