Context

Recently, the third international conference on Marine Ecosystems-Challenges and Opportunities (MECOS) was held in Kochi in January, 2019.

About

•  The conference is aimed at reviewing the concerns involved in marine ecosystem and formulating strategies for the better and sustainable utilisation of marine wealth by enhancing livelihood options.
• The symposium is organized by the Marine Biological Association of India.
• It will also serve as a platform for discussions on a range of topics, including the impact of the climate crisis on marine ecosystems and an unusual warming of the Arabian Sea.
• The conference would focus on the Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations, SDG-14 which says ‘conserve and sustainably use the oceans and its resources for sustainable development’.
  
  

  Marine Biological Association of India The Marine Biological Association of India was established in the year 1958. It serves the cause of promotion of research on marine sciences in the Asia-Pacific region.

  
  It also aims to create an active interest among its members in the field of marine biology and allied marine sciences.

Significance

Significance of the conference:

• Healthy oceans, coasts and related ecosystems are crucial for economic growth and food production. 
• Billions of people worldwide, especially the world’s poorest rely on healthy oceans to provide jobs and food underscoring the urgent need to sustainably use and protect this natural resource.
• However, numerous issues such as depletion of resources, marine pollution, extreme weather conditions and rising sea surface temperature pose a threat to the sustainable utilisation of marine resources.
• Hence, the conference would come up with a roadmap to deal with these issues.

Conclusion

Eminent marine scientists, oceanographers, fishery researchers and marine bio-technologists from across the globe has assembled in Kochi and stressed the need for the preservation or marine ecosystem. Moreover, the symposium itself has been designed in an eco-friendly way. No printed materials and single-use plastics will be used at the symposium. Natural materials will be used for presenting mementos to the guests and certificates will be sent to the participants in digital form. This will have stronger impact on the behavior of people as well the state and non-state actors to play a major role in marine ecosystem conservation.