Climate change taking toll on marine resources: Scientist

Climate change is taking a toll on fishery resources, with the consequent ocean warming and the rise of the sea level posing multiple threats to the marine ecosystem, a leading marine scientist said here on Thursday.

"The scientific community has to take steps to develop adequate technologies to reduce carbon footprints and international collaboration is necessary to undertake advanced research to tackle the issues being faced by the marine ecosystem," B. Madhusoodana Kurup, vice chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), said at the Indo-EU workshop on marine ecosystem and climate in India.

The workshop was jointly organised by KUFOS and the Nansen Environmental Research Centre-India (NERCI) under the EU-INDO-MARECLIM project of the European Union.

"Climate change has direct impact on ocean resources. The consequent rise of sea surface temperature and habitat destruction are causing the disappearance of commercially important fish species," he said.

"There are scientific challenges for ecologists, economists, and other social scientists, in understanding how human actions affect ecosystems, the provision of ecosystem services, and the value of those services.

"An effective strategy should be designed to manage, monitor and provide incentives that reflect the social values of ecosystem services," said Kurup.

N.R. Menon, coordinator of the INDO-MARECLIM project and co-Chairman of NERCI, said the objective of the workshop was to establish scientific cooperation of India and the EU member states in areas of monsoon studies, protection of marine ecosystem and coastal zone management.

"The meet is aimed at initiating a tie-up with Europe to undertake serious research in these areas," said Menon.

The INDO-MARECLIM project envisages developing an institutional network in India to embark on joint research ventures from a case to case basis.

The project aims at facilitating and improving cooperation between the EU members states, associated countries and India.