CMFRI signs pact with TN varsity on marine research

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) today signed an MoU with Tamil Nadu's Manonmaniam Sundaranar University for joint research in marine biodiversity with special focus on Gulf of Mannar.
The pact is meant to give a fillip to collaborative research programmes andhelp develop adequate manpower for exploring the prospects of the marine biodiversity in the region, CMFRI said in a release here.
CMFRI DirectorA Gopalakrishnan and MSU Vice-ChancellorK Bhaskar signed the MoU, which is expected to pave way for the fine blend of academic learning and hands-on experience in research for the research aspirants of both the organizations in the area of marine biodiversity with special reference to the richness of Gulf of Mannar, it said.

Tuticorin Research Centre of the CMFRI will play the lead role in the collaborative research programmes.
Under it (the MoU), the CMFRI -- the largest marine fisheries research centre in the country -- will be recognised as approved research centre of the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) in Tirunelveli and the scientists of the fisheries research institute will act as the approved research guides of the University, the release said.
This will help the research fellows at the CMFRI working in the area of marine biodiversity to receive PhD award issued by the University on the successful completion of their projects, it said.

Gopalakrishnan said that as a result of the MoU, both the institutions would involve in developing collaborative research project and organising 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 the world's one of the richest region from the marine biodiversity perspective.
Of the 2,200 fish species in Indian waters, 450 species are found in the CMFRI making it the single richest coastal area in the Indian sub-continent.