Seminar on marine pollution held

A seminar on marine pollution was conducted here by the Indian Coast Guard here Friday.

Inaugurating the seminar, Kerala Additional Chief Secretary P H Kurian highlighted the ill effects of marine pollution and lauded the efforts by the Coast Guard, the lead agency for combating marine pollution in the country's maritime zones.

The aim of the seminar was to improve awareness and cohesion amongst stake holders like government and Non-Government Organisations, port authorities, fisheries, tour operators and environmentalists, the Coast Guard said.

Speakers from various organisations highlighted the need for agency-people participation to preserve maritime eco-systems, a Defence release said.

The Seminar was attended by representatives from Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA), Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), State Pollution Control Board, various government departments, educational institutions and industry.