- Dona Paula, Goa, India.
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- iiosc2020[at]nio[dot]org
Abstract Submission No. | ABS-2022-15-0232 |
Title of Abstract | Towards Blue Economy: An Indian Perspective |
Authors | Shailesh Nayak* |
Organisation | National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) |
Address | National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) Bengaluru, Bengaluru, India Pincode: 560094 Mobile: 9999999999 E-mail: shailesh@nias.res.in |
Country | India |
Presentation | Oral |
Abstract | The term 'Blue Economy' emphasizes essentially an ocean-dependent economic development to improve quality of life of people and inclusive social development while ensuring environmental and ecological security. India has committed to advance the 'Blue Economy' by formulating several programs. The first step is to ensure that adequate information about sea bed and mineral and fishery resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), legal continental shelf as well as High Seas is available. The deep water fisheries has tremendous potential. Many new grounds of deep-sea fishery between 200 m to 2000 m have been identified. Technological challenges on harvesting, post-harvesting and product development need to be undertaken for a successful commercial ventures for deep-sea fishery and maricultural activities. Apart from placer minerals on the coast, exploration for minerals, such as manganese nodules, hydrothermal systems and cobalt crusts in the Central Indian Ocean to be accelerated. The availability of gas hydrates on our continental shelf has huge potential to satisfy our ever-increasing energy requirements. The investments in developing technology and human resources to utilize these resources are to be made now. The coast is also vulnerable to many hazards such as cyclones, storm surges, tsunamis, coastal erosion, sea level rise, etc. The marine spatial planning including coastal vulnerability should be used to understand risks involved, and accordingly, developmental activities should be planned. Regular satellite-based monitoring condition of coastal ecosystems is a vital requirement of such approach. There is now consensus that macro-economic decisions about the blue economy will need ocean environmental data. The economic growth prospects in the ocean beyond 2030 will be limited without large investments to support ocean environments. In view of this, the Government of India has announced a Deep Ocean Mission, recently. A framework to bring together disparate data sources by developing an accounting system for oceans is a necessity. Lastly, an institutional framework for implementing activities related to blue economy has to be set-up. The investments in building infrastructure, human resources, finances and governance system are to be made. Such investments in oceans will pay rich dividends for future generations. At the same time we need to commit ourselves to sustainability of oceans for benefit of humanity. |