India Plans To Set Up Network Of Marine Biology Research Stations In Pacific Island Countries

The Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute entails building up a network of marine biology research stations in various island nations in the Pacific Ocean.

India is planning to set up a network of marine biology research stations in Pacific Island countries as part of an institute. The institute will explore the potential of the ocean in a sustainable manner. 

Marine research stations are places where scientific research is carried out relating to oceanography. Marine scientific research plays an important role in validating traditional knowledge and identifying emerging issues. Therefore, marine scientific research is fundamental to achieving sustainable use of the oceans.

What Is SCORI? 

According to a report by news agency PTI, Union Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh told the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon that India has proposed to establish an institute calledSustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute (SCORI) to meet the needs and aspirations of the Pacific Island countries. The proposal was originally made by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during a meeting with leaders of 14 Pacific Island countries, officials told PTI. The meeting was conducted with the leaders of 14 Pacific Island countries in a bid to develop closer ties with the region.

A senior official said that the plans were hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic. "We are now looking at taking it up soon," the official added.

What Is The Purpose Of SCORI?

The Sustainable Coastal and Ocean Research Institute entails building up a network of marine biology research stations in various island nations in the Pacific Ocean. The research stations will collaborate on research and capacity building with institutions in India.

India has well-established collaboration and partnerships with UN agencies and research institutions for bridging the methodology and data gaps on indicators of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Singh said at the conference. Also, India, along with the UN agencies and research institutions, is working towards the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021-2030, for a clean, healthy, productive, predictive, safe and accessible ocean. 

Singh added that India has also launched the Deep Ocean Mission with six thematic areas. The Deep Ocean Mission includes the development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services to address climate resilience, exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity, development of technologies for harnessing ocean resources and capacity building.